Real Madrid at Mallorca 2019 Score Prediction: Luka Jovic gets his goal

Real Madrid will face Mallorca on Saturday at the Iberostar Stadium, and nothing less than a convincing result will be expected from Zinedine Zidane’s men.

After eight matchdays, Real Madrid sit atop the league table and remain one of only a handful of undefeated teams in Europe’s top five leagues. While Los Blancos have been far from convincing in the Champions League, which will need rectifying next week against Galatasaray, they have been outright dominant in La Liga, especially lately.

Meanwhile, it’s the opposite for Mallorca, who find themselves in a relegation spot just beyond the quarter-mark of the 2019-2020 campaign. Mallorca have received a few bright performances this season, and they do have a talented young loanee from Real in Takefusa Kubo. But overall, Mallorca are the much weaker side and heavy underdogs, even at home.

Real Madrid will miss Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, Lucas Vazquez, and maybe a left back or two due to injury. Two weeks ago, real defeated Granada 4-2 with Dani Carvajal at left back, as Carvajal dazzled in an attacking role. And with Isco back, James Rodriguez off the mark, and Fede Vavlerde breaking out, Real can withstand injuries to Modric and Kroos.

This game could give huge opportunities to Real’s young forwards. Vinicius Junior is almost a guaranteed start due to Bale’s and Vazquez’s injury. If Eden Hazard is rested, then Rodrygo could make an appearance. Fans are itching to see more of him after his wondergoal in last month’s 2-0 win over Osasuna.

But the real danger man may be Luka Jovic. Real Madrid won’t be pressed to rest the likes of Hazard and Karim Benzema as much now that El Clasico has moved from Oct. 26 to Dec. 18, but giving Benzema more breaks and Jovic more opportunities could be wise. Mallorca’s defense looks vulnerable on paper, and after Jovic came agonizingly close to scoring his first goal vs. Osasuna, he has a great chance of getting on the score sheet if he plays.

Taking that further, I believe Jovic will start and score his first goal in a 3-1 victory. Real Madrid will control this game from start to finish, and only a defensive error on a set piece or counterattack will give Mallorca a brief glimmer of hope. In addition to Jovic, James will add another goal and Vinicius Junior will bag his second of the season off of another stroke of individual brilliance.

There will be many players to watch closely on Saturday, but Jovic and Vinicius stand the best chance of impressing. This should be a thoroughly professional display on the road from Real, who will need to use this as a tune-up game for their upcoming fixture against Galatasaray.