Can Mallorca break Sabadell’s defensive wall? Mallorca vs Sabadell prediction - 13.09.2026
RCD Mallorca and CE Sabadell will meet on Sunday, September 13, in Matchday 5 of the Spanish Segunda División. The game will take place at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, with kick-off scheduled for 18:30 local time. Mallorca have collected seven points from four matches, while newly promoted Sabadell have five from their opening three and are yet to concede a goal in the league.
Mallorca: Son Moix has already become their main source of points
Mallorca's start to the season has been defined by a clear contrast between their home and away performances. Luis García's side have won both matches at Son Moix without conceding: 2-0 against Real Valladolid and 3-0 against Ceuta. On the road, they lost 0-2 to Granada before drawing 0-0 with Eldense. Overall, the islanders have five goals scored and only two conceded after four rounds.
There was an important change on the bench during the summer. Martín Demichelis left Mallorca after RB Leipzig activated his release clause, and Luis García was appointed as his successor on a contract running until June 2027, with an option for another season. The new coach has immediately built a relatively pragmatic side that rarely gives opponents much space close to Arnau Tenas' goal.
Mallorca also possess considerable individual quality for Segunda. Antonio Raíllo and Martin Valjent provide experience in defence, Manu Morlanes and Sergi Darder control the midfield, while Zito Luvumbo, Pablo Torre, Adrián Fuentes and Adam Buksa give García several different attacking options. The 4-2-3-1 used in the recent matches allows Mallorca to remain compact without sacrificing width or numbers in the final third.
Sabadell: three matches, three clean sheets
Sabadell have returned to the second tier with exactly the type of football that brought them promotion. Ferran Costa, who extended his contract until 2028 after guiding the club out of Primera Federación, has built an extremely disciplined and flexible team. Sabadell finished second with 68 points last season before completing the job in the promotion play-offs.
Their first three Segunda matches have produced only one goal in total — but that has been enough to earn five points. Sabadell drew 0-0 away to Sporting Gijón and Castellón before defeating Almería 1-0, with Nicholas Gioacchini scoring the winner. Goalkeeper Diego Fuoli has therefore started the campaign with three consecutive clean sheets.
Costa has shown that he is comfortable changing the defensive structure depending on the opponent. Sabadell used a 3-1-4-2 in Gijón, switched to a five-man defensive line at Castellón and later played 4-4-2 against Almería. Their possession figures of 44% in Gijón and only 30% at Castellón also underline that Sabadell have no problem allowing the opposition to control the ball and waiting for transition opportunities.
There are, however, personnel concerns in defence. In the latest available team update, Ferran Costa confirmed that Genar Fornés and Arthur Bonaldo remained unavailable through injury. That is particularly significant against a Mallorca side with considerably more attacking depth than most teams Sabadell have faced since returning to Segunda.
Match facts
- Mallorca have won both of their home league matches this season without conceding.
- Mallorca have kept three clean sheets in four Segunda matches.
- Sabadell have not conceded in any of their opening three league games.
- Sabadell's first three Segunda matches produced just one goal in total.
- Both of Sabadell's away league matches ended 0-0.
Mallorca's home advantage can finally unlock the Sabadell defence
Sabadell's defensive numbers deserve respect. Ferran Costa's team are organised, patient and perfectly comfortable spending long periods without the ball. Mallorca therefore should not expect a comfortable evening, and this could remain a tight contest deep into the second half.
Still, Son Moix changes the equation. Mallorca have already won 2-0 and 3-0 there, possess greater individual quality across the pitch and have enough options on the bench to alter the game if the first attacking plan does not work. Sabadell's defensive absences are another factor that could become increasingly important as the match develops.
The visitors have proved very difficult to beat, but their lack of attacking production leaves almost no margin for error. Against a Mallorca side that have conceded only twice and have yet to drop a point at home, one goal could be enough to decide the contest. I expect García's team to eventually find it and protect their advantage.
Prediction: Mallorca to win.
