Top 5 Reasons to Confidently Bet on a Draw in Mallorca vs Athletic Bilbao – La Liga Preview

Mallorca vs Athletic Bilbao – Overview

Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao square off with both teams vying for momentum to stay competitive in the top half of La Liga. Separated only by goal difference, they hold identical records of five wins, two draws, and three losses. With Mallorca positioned in 6th and Bilbao in 5th, this clash could be pivotal in shaping both teams' aspirations for European qualification.

Mallorca vs Athletic Bilbao – Team Form and Recent Performances

• Mallorca: Mallorca has built their success this season on a compact defense and efficient home performances. They come into this game on the back of a resilient 1-0 victory against Rayo Vallecano, marking their fourth win in their last five games. Known for their defensive discipline, Mallorca averages under 1 goal conceded per game at home and has leaned heavily on set pieces and aerial strength, with players like Antonio Raíllo and Vedat Muriqi excelling in these areas. However, they struggle with finishing, which could make breaking down a tough Bilbao side challenging.
• Athletic Bilbao: Bilbao has been balancing a busy schedule between domestic and European commitments, recently securing a 1-0 win over Sparta Prague in the UEFA Europa League. Under Ernesto Valverde, Bilbao emphasizes a high-energy, pressing style and frequently relies on individual skill to create scoring opportunities. With Inaki Williams and Oihan Sancet leading the attacking charge, Bilbao has averaged 1.7 goals per game, making them more potent in front of goal than Mallorca. However, they show vulnerabilities in defending set pieces and aerial duels—two areas where Mallorca thrives.

Head-to-Head Statistics

• Athletic Club remains unbeaten in 14 of their last 15 matches against Mallorca, with many of these games ending in draws. This historical pattern underscores Bilbao's resilience in this fixture and Mallorca's difficulty in gaining a decisive edge.
• Low-scoring games have been a common trend when these two sides meet, with eight of their last nine encounters in Mallorca finishing with under 2.5 goals. This aligns with Mallorca's defensive approach at home and Bilbao’s tendency to control possession without overly extending themselves.

Key Player Matchups

• Vedat Muriqi (Mallorca) vs. Dani Vivian (Bilbao): Muriqi, known for his physical presence and aerial ability, could be a thorn in Bilbao's defense, especially given Bilbao’s weaknesses in aerial duels. Vivian, Bilbao’s main center-back, will need to be sharp to contain Muriqi’s threat from set-pieces.
• Inaki Williams (Bilbao) vs. Mallorca’s Full-backs: Williams' pace and direct style could pose a significant challenge for Mallorca’s wide defenders, especially given Bilbao’s inclination to attack down the right. Pablo Maffeo, Mallorca's right-back, will be crucial in managing Williams' speed and dribbling.

Key Stats to Note

• Aerial Success Rate: Mallorca boasts a 59% success rate in aerial duels, compared to Bilbao's 45%, giving them an advantage in high-ball situations.
• Possession and Passing: Bilbao maintains an average possession of 47% and an 80% pass success rate, indicating their tendency to control the game's tempo.
• Set Pieces: Both teams rely on set pieces, but Mallorca has a higher efficiency in converting them, which could be crucial in a tight match.

Mallorca vs Athletic Bilbao – Betting Recommendation

Considering both teams' defensive solidity, recent head-to-head history, and Mallorca's preference for low-scoring affairs at home, a draw appears a sensible choice. Athletic Bilbao’s struggles with aerial and set-piece defending could level the playing field against Mallorca's defensive resilience.

Betting 3 units on the draw at odds of 2.95 is recommended, as both teams seem evenly matched, and recent history suggests another closely fought encounter.