Team news
Jose Mourinho is expected to play his strong possible squad in the absence of Angel Di Maria and Iker Casillas who are both nearing recovery. The Real Madrid coach will have to choose between Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain for the striker role. The latter is poised to start ahead of his French team mate.
Kaka has made good use of his playing minutes this year. His contribution in midfield cannot be denied. The Brazilian is likely to partner with Özil and Ronaldo as Los Blancos will be hunting for goals at home to Mallorca.
Varane is fit and should start ahead of Pepe in defence with Fabio Coentrao, Alvaro Arbeloa and skipper Sergio Ramos. Diego Lopez has been very reliable in post since replacing Iker Casillas in January. Jose Mourinho could choose to rest him for Antonio Adan after an intense month of action.
Meanwhile, the visitors must do with several exclusions. Javi Marquez and Marti are suspended and will not face Real Madrid. Coach Gregorio Manzano wants to build on team play. His plans seem to have worked so far as goals do not only go to club top scorer Tomer Hemed anymore.
Real Mallorca might go with a 4-3-3 formation Victor and Santos teaming up with Alfaro upfront. Last week, the latter was the hero with a brace which offered his side a vital 2-1 win over Sevilla. Mallorca are actively working towards survival in the Spanish La Liga. With 11 matches to go, they occupy the 18th position, two points away from safety.
Table
1 | Barcelona | 27 | 23 | 2 | 2 | 85 | 30 | +55 | 71 | |
2 | Real Madrid | 27 | 18 | 4 | 5 | 66 | 25 | +41 | 58 | |
3 | Atlético Madrid | 27 | 18 | 3 | 6 | 48 | 24 | +24 | 57 | |
4 | Málaga | 27 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 38 | 25 | +13 | 44 |
17 | Real Zaragoza | 27 | 7 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 38 | -13 | 26 | |
18 | Mallorca | 27 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 28 | 50 | -22 | 24 | |
19 | Celta de Vigo | 27 | 6 | 5 | 16 | 26 | 38 | -12 | 23 | |
20 | Deportivo La Coruña | 27 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 29 | 58 | -29 | 17 |
Real Madrid’s last three matches
March 2, 2013: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona
March 5, 2013: Manchester United 1-2 Real Madrid
March 10, 2013: Celta de Vigo 1-2 Cristiano Ronaldo
Mallorca’s last three matches
February 23, 2013: Mallorca 1-3 Getafe
March 3, 2013: Granada 1-2 Mallorca
March 9, 2013: Mallorca 2-1 Sevilla
Head-to-head (last three matches)
January 14, 2012: Mallorca 1-2 Real Madrid
May 13, 2012: Real Madrid 4-1 Mallorca
October 28, 2012: Mallorca 0-5 Real Madrid
Prediction
Real Madrid 3-1 Mallorca