FC Barcelona vs Mallorca Preview: Unbeaten Catalans Host Struggling Islanders

FC BARCELONA

RCD MALLORCA

Camp Nou

October 29,2011; 19:00 GMT

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After a narrow yet valuable 1-0 win at Granada in midweek and a 0-0 draw against Sevilla last weekend, Barcelona return to Camp Nou to face Mallorca in week 10 of La Liga. On paper, this matchup couldn’t possibly be any more one-sided; Barcelona are still undefeated in all competitions this season and are yet to concede a goal at home in the league while Mallorca have had a very negative start to the league and have only got two away points and nine in total. Michael Laudrup was fired but new manager Joaquin Caparros hasn’t managed to change the team’s fortunes and Mallorca seem destined to fight against relegation until the end of this season.

As for Barcelona, they havenai??i??t been at their very best in the past few matches, but they remain unbeaten this season and very much capable of defending their title.Ai?? With Real Madrid playing better as compared to the past seasons, anything other than a home victory against a struggling Mallorca side might turn out to be a compromising result in the end. The pressure is fully on Pep Guardiolaai??i??s side to deliver.

Team News and Tactical Brief

FC Barcelona

Barcelona remain unbeaten in the 2011/2012 La Liga with six wins and three draws thus far, but last weekendai??i??s draw has seen them lose their lead in the league and drop to third place behind the sensational Levante and eternal rivals Real Madrid. Barcelona did play a very good match against Sevilla but Javi Varas was a giant among men on that night. Three days later, Barcelona had a very lackluster performance at Granada, but a superb Xavi Hernandez free-kick gave them a very difficult 0-1 away win.Ai?? Lionel Messi has had a below par week, missing a last-minute penalty against Sevilla and having an overall poor performance at Granada.

But while the Catalans have suffered greatly, they havenai??i??t fallen by any means and theyai??i??re still as likely to retain their title as they ever were. In order to keep the title challenge strong they will need to start by beating Mallorca this weekend. Last season, Barcelona tied 1-1 at home with Mallorca on matchday 6 and then embarked on a legendary 16-match winning streak, an all-time La Liga record unlikely to be beaten any time soon. Surely, Pep Guardiola wouldnai??i??t mind a draw this weekend if it meant Barcelona would win their next 16 matches, but history is unlikely to repeat itself in such a way, so anything other than a win is a bad result for the Blaugrana.

However, this wonai??i??t be an easy match for Barcelona. Mallorca havenai??i??t been very strong this season, but they traditionally make life very hard for the hosts at Camp Nou. Besides, with Pedro picking up an injury against Granada and Alexis Sanchez still sidelined, Lionel Messi and David Villa are the only natural forwards available for Pep Guardiola, who will have to fill the third attacking slot with a player adapted to position, presumably Adriano or Cesc Fabrgeas.

Some sections of Barcelona supporters claim that Messi needs to be rested in this match, but itai??i??s unlikely that it will happen, as Barcelona need the Argentineai??i??s magic to get some momentum back.Ai?? Pep Guardiola should field the strongest XI available, in an attacking 3-4-3 formation.

Probable Starting Lineup: Victor ValdAi??s(GK); Eric Abidal, Javier Mascherano, Daniel Alves; Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, AndrAi??s Iniesta, Thiago Alcantara; Francesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi, David Villa

Mallorca

Mallorca managed to avoid complete bankruptcy last season, but their days as a contender for European places in La Liga are numbered, as they no longer have the resources to do more than fighting to avoid relegation.Ai?? Theyai??i??ve had a very poor start to the season, with only nine points from nine games so far and not a single away win (two draws and two defeats). In their last game, they lost 2-1 at home to Sporting Gijon, which is not a very healthy indication for this upcoming fixture at Camp Nou.

Michael Laudrup was sacked recently, but Joaquin Caparros hasnai??i??t exactly changed the clubai??i??s fortunes much, at least not yet. Not long ago regarded as one of the most difficult teams in La Liga, Mallorca are now just another bottom team fighting for survival. Even if they do have a history of troubling Barcelona at Camp Nou, itai??i??s very unlikely that it will continue.

The islanders will adopt a similar strategy to Sevilla, defending deep and in numbers, but their chances of succeeding are realistically slim here, even if Barcelona havenai??i??t been at their best recently. Then again, a positive result at Camp Nou might just be the boost Joaquin Caparros needs to change his teamai??i??s fortunes. But in the current context, such result would be a minor miracle, comparable to the one Hercules pulled last season at the same venue.

Probable Lineup: Aouate(GK); CendrA?s, Victor, Ramis, Bigas; Tejera, Pina; VAi??ctor, Alfaro, Castro; Hemed

TheHardTackleai??i??s PLAYER TO WATCH OUT FOR

Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)

The worldai??i??s best player has had his worst week in recent memory with two average performances (by his standards) in a row and a last-minute penalty miss against Sevilla. The Argentine genius will be looking to get back to his best and further assert himself as the most talented footballer on the planet. No one should be surprised if Lionel Messi responds to his critics with a vintage performance in this match.

TheHardTackleai??i??s PREDICTION

Barcelona 3-0 Mallorca

Barcelona will return to their best with a convincing win over a struggling Mallorca. The islanders will create some problems at the start, but once Barcelona find the first goal the game will become easier. Lionel Messi will get a brace and David Villa will score the third.