Villarreal will be aiming to extend their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 La Liga season when they travel to San Moix for Saturday's clash with Mallorca. The Yellow Submarine are currently sitting in fourth spot in the table, while the hosts return from the international break in 10th position.

Villarreal's Unstoppable Attack

Villarreal have been a force to be reckoned with in the early stages of the season, showcasing their firepower and defensive resilience. They have won two and drawn two of their first four matches, demonstrating a knack for finding the back of the net. After kicking off the season with a 2-2 draw against Atletico Madrid, Villarreal went on to record back-to-back victories, beating Sevilla 2-1 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and prevailing in a seven-goal thriller against Celta Vigo. While they were unable to clinch a third consecutive victory against Valencia, the Yellow Submarine may have been content with a 1-1 draw after playing over 20 minutes with 10 men following Pape Gueye's red card.

Villarreal's attacking prowess has been spearheaded by summer signing Ayoze Perez, who has quickly established himself as a key player. He has scored two goals in his first four appearances, demonstrating his clinical finishing ability. Perez is likely to retain his starting spot for Saturday's fixture, aiming to continue his impressive start to the campaign.

Mallorca's Defensive Stance

Mallorca, on the other hand, have endured a mixed start to the season under new head coach Jagoba Arrasate. After a hard-fought draw against reigning champions Real Madrid in their opening fixture, they suffered a narrow 1-0 away defeat against Arrasate's former side Osasuna. The loss at El Sadar was followed by a goalless home draw against Sevilla, leaving Mallorca without a win in their first three matches of the new season.

However, Arrasate managed to claim his first victory in Mallorca's final game before the international break, with Dani Rodriguez scoring the decisive goal in a narrow 1-0 away win over newly-promoted Leganes. This victory will provide a much-needed boost of confidence for the Pirates, who will have to produce another strong defensive display if they are to trouble a Villarreal side that has scored nine goals across their first five matches.

Key Players and Injuries

Mallorca will be without defender Pablo Maffeo, who sustained an injury in the defeat to Leganes. He is joined on the sidelines by Javi Llabres and Mateu Morey, who are out with adductor and knee problems respectively. Forward Vedat Muriqi is expected to be passed fit for Saturday's fixture despite being forced off in Kosovo's recent 4-0 win over Cyprus in the UEFA Nations League.

Meanwhile, Villarreal are expected to be without defender Juan Foyth and forward Gerard due to hamstring and knee issues respectively. There are also doubts surrounding the availability of Willy Kambwala, Alfonso Pedraza and Denis Suarez, while Gueye will serve a one-match suspension following his red card against Valencia.

Predictions and Conclusion

Villarreal have enjoyed an impressive start to the new season, having showcased their firepower to avoid defeat in each of their four matches, and we think that they will produce another strong attacking display to dispatch Mallorca on Saturday. Mallorca's solid defensive record will make things difficult for the Yellow Submarine, but their ability to find the back of the net consistently gives them the edge in this encounter.

Despite their impressive start, Villarreal will still need to improve defensively, having conceded seven goals across their four matches. Mallorca will be eager to capitalize on any defensive lapses, particularly in the absence of Juan Foyth and Gerard Moreno. The clash between Villarreal's potent attack and Mallorca's robust defense promises to be an intriguing battle, making this encounter a must-watch for La Liga fans.

Looking Ahead

The upcoming matchup between Villarreal and Mallorca holds significant implications for both teams. A victory for Villarreal would consolidate their position in the top half of the table, while a win for Mallorca would provide them with a much-needed boost of confidence and momentum. With both teams possessing a unique blend of talent and experience, the game promises to be a captivating encounter that could have a lasting impact on their respective seasons.