Kylian Mbappe set to make La Liga debut as Real Madrid take on Mallorca: Prediction, Odds, Betting Tips, and Best Bets

After scoring his first goal for Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup last weekend, Kylian Mbappe is gearing up for his La Liga debut as Los Blancos kick off their season against Mallorca on Sunday.

Mbappe's highly anticipated summer switch to Spain saw him hit the ground running in the 2-0 victory over Atalanta, bagging the side's second goal on the hour mark to open his Madrid account. After a rocky finish to his Paris Saint-Germain career and a muted summer at Euro 2024, it's important for Mbappe to start strong in a star-studded Blancos squad.

Madrid look more bloated with Galacticos talent than the Spanish giants have in quite a while, and it will take a Herculean effort to knock them from either their La Liga or UEFA Champions League perches.

BET NOW:Latest odds for La Liga games and best bets for the Mallorca vs. Real Madrid match on BetMGM

Mallorca finished 15th in the Spanish league last season, and the beachside club would be thrilled to get their season off with a massive upset. Any points here against the league's titan would be considered a massive win in the hunt for top-flight safety.

Real Madrid vs. Mallorca prediction, oddsMoneyline lean: Real Madrid (-225)Score prediction: Mallorca 0-2 Real Madrid

Real Madrid are, unquestionably, the best team in Europe right now. Seeing the defending Champions League title winners add Mbappe in the summer feels borderline unfair, and the Frenchman already opened his Blancos goal-scoring account in the UEFA Super Cup last weekend.

Mallorca are defensively adept but were plagued by poor finishing last season. They added pesky attacker Takuma Asano from Bochum on a free transfer, but being a less-than-ruthless finisher himself, it does little to improve that glaring weakness.

 BetMGM
(USA)Mallorca win+650Draw+333Real Madrid win-225Both teams
to scoreY: +110
N: -160Over / Under
2.5 goalsO: -115
U: -120Real Madrid
-1.5 goals+125Mallorca
+1.5 goals-175Real Madrid vs. Mallorca match factsDate: Sunday, August 18, 2024Kickoff Time: 9:30 p.m. local (3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT)Location: Estadi Mallorca Son Moix (Palma de Mallorca, Spain)Referee: Cesar Soto GradoLast meeting: Mallorca 0-1 Real Madrid (Apr. 13, 2024 | La Liga) Real Madrid vs. Mallorca best betPick: Real Madrid 6+ shots on targetOdds: -110 (FanDuel)

Even with all their incredible attacking depth and talent, Real Madrid are not built on volume, but instead on efficiency.

Against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, Madrid put up six shots on target from their 13 total attempts, a strong return against a solid defensive side. Against Mallorca last time out in April, Madrid racked up 16 shots with a whopping nine on target. There will be lots for goalkeeper Dominik Greif to do.

Real Madrid vs. Mallorca prop bet

Pick: Real Madrid win to nilOdds: +115 (BetMGM)betmgm_colored

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Even if Real Madrid don't run up the score, as they have failed to do in each of the past three meetings against a defensively bunkered Mallorca, Los Blancos will be comfortable themselves at the back and should find a way through to three points.

Mallorca struggled last season to put together attacking opportunities, racking up the third-fewest expected goals in La Liga. What's more, the chances they did generate failed to find the back of the net, with a bottom-third differential in xG and goals scored as well. They did not address either of these issues in the transfer window, and it will be extremely difficult for them to breach Thibaut Courtois' net.

Real Madrid vs. Mallorca live stream, TV channel TV channelStreamingUSAESPN DeportesFubo USA, ESPN+, WatchESPNCanadaTSN1TSN+UKITV4, Premier Sports 1ITVX, LaLigaTV

Real Madrid's 2024/25 La Liga opener will be televised in the United States on ESPN Deportes in Spanish. That channel is available to stream on Fubo, who are offering a two-week free trial for new users. The match is also available to stream on ESPN+ in both English and Spanish.

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In Canada, the match will be televised on TSN1 as well as their streaming service TSN+.

Meanwhile, in the UK, the match will be televised on both ITV and Premier Sports 1, with streaming on ITVX and LaLigaTV.