Elche v Mallorca
Monday 10 October, 20:00
Live on LaLigaTV
The famed quarry at Braga turned into a pit of despair for our Tobias last night, as the hosts let him down big-time in Portugal. Chaves' 1-0 win ended TG's stint in sour style, but it was still a profitable week and he'll bounce back soon.
We'll kick off our week in Spain, because struggling Elche are up against Mallorca in La Liga. The hosts have claimed a single point from their seven games so far, while the visitors from the Balearics are seven points better off, despite a tough schedule.
Mallorca have had to face Real Madrid, Barcelona and Real Betis in their first seven games, and perhaps understandably lost to all of them. On the road they have had some strong results, winning at Rayo Vallecano and drawing 0-0 against Athletic Club at San Mames. Javier Aguirre's side has only conceded multiple goals on two occasions.
Elche are having a disastrous start to the campaign. They have the worst defensive record in the league (18 goals conceded) and the joint-worst attack (three goals scored). They have lost five games in a row, including a heart-breaking 2-1 loss at Rayo Vallecano last time out. Coach Francisco Rodriguez has paid for the slump with his job, and a permanent replacement is yet to be appointed. Former Getafe and Valencia boss Jose Bordalas has been linked with the role, as has ex-Villarreal coach Javi Calleja.
With Elche in a mess and Mallorca looking fairly solid, I'm happy to back the visitors Draw No Bet here at 1.784/5. If the game is drawn, we get our stake returned.