La Liga leaders Barcelona will resume their campaign with a home game against relegation-threatened RCD Mallorca on Saturday.
RCD Mallorca will look to build on their win last time out when they hit the road to face Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, who will be eyeing a third straight win in La Liga.
The Catalan giants are top of the table with 55 points in their 22 outings, thanks to 18 wins and a draw. The Blaugrana had a comfortable four-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid, but a defeat to Real Sociedad meant they only have a points lead at the top and can no longer afford to relax.
Following that defeat to Real Sociedad, Barcelona have won their last five games across competitions and are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 win over Albacete in the Copa del Rey. Flick’s team will certainly be confident about their chances of winning.
Meanwhile, RCD Mallorca are 14th on the table with 24 points in their 22 outings. The visitors have won six, drawn six and suffered defeat on 10 occasions. Two out of those six wins have come in their last three league outings.
Mallorca have defeated Athletic Club and Sevilla in their last three league outings. Given how impressive they were in the 4-1 win over Sevilla, the away side can certainly give Barcelona a run for their money if things start to click for them. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
The Catalan giants remain without the services of Gavi (knee), Pedri (hamstring), and Andreas Christensen (ACL). Meanwhile, Raphinha is also a major doubt as he is suffering from a groin issue.
Barcelona will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Joan Garcia will feature in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde will take charge as the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Pau Cubarsi will partner with Eric Garcia.
As for the midfield unit, Frenkie de Jong will start alongside Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez in the centre of the park. The trio will look to shield the backline and ensure they dominate the ball.
Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford are expected to feature on the flanks, while Ferran Torres should lead the line for Barcelona against RCD Mallorca at Camp Nou on Saturday afternoon.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Balde; Olmo, de Jong, Fermin Lopez; Yamal, Torres, Rashford
RCD Mallorca
Mallorca might be without the services of Marash Kumbulla, as he is struggling with a muscle issue.
The visitors will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Leo Roman will take charge in goal. Pablo Maffeo and Johan Mojica will be the full-backs, while David Lopez will start alongside Martin Valjent in the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Omar Mascarell and Samu Costa will form the double pivot in the middle of the pitch. They will look to shield the backline and ensure the Barcelona midfielders do not run the show.
Antonio Sanchez and Jan Virgili are expected to take charge in wide areas, with Sergi Darder taking up the number ten role. Finally, Vedat Muriqi should spearhead the RCD Mallorca attack against Barcelona this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Roman; Maffeo, Lopez, Valjent, Mojica; Mascarell, Costa; A Sanchez, Darder, Virgili; Muriqi
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won all their home league game this term, scoring 31 goals and conceding just five in the process.
- Barcelona have hit the woodwork on 22 occasions in La Liga, the highest in all major European leagues. Manchester United are closest with 18.
- Mallorca have failed to win any of the last 19 matches between the two teams. Barcelona have won 17 and drawn two.
- Since losing to Real Sociedad, Barcelona have won each of their last five games across competitions.
- The Pirates have only won one out of their 11 away matches.
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal
Yamal will be the player to watch when Barcelona take on RCD Mallorca, given his sensational form in the final third. The teenage sensation has now found the back of the net in four consecutive games across all competitions, underlining just how decisive he has become for the Catalan giants despite his tender age.
Overall, the 18-year-old has racked up an outstanding 14 goals and 13 assists in 29 appearances this season, numbers that highlight both his end product and creative influence. Yamal’s ability to beat defenders in 1v1 situations, combine intelligently in tight spaces, and deliver in big moments makes him a constant menace, and Mallorca’s defence will have their hands full trying to contain him.
Prediction
Barcelona 3-1 RCD Mallorca
Barcelona will back themselves to continue their dominant home form and extend their winning run, especially given how ruthless they have been this season. With Hansi Flick’s side controlling possession and creating chances at will, Mallorca are likely to spend long periods defending deep, and that could eventually tell as the game wears on.
The visitors have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks and could threaten on the counter, particularly through the physical presence of Vedat Muriqi. However, Barcelona’s attack, led by the in-form Lamine Yamal, should prove too much in the end, with the league leaders expected to pick up another convincing victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a comfortable 3-1 win for the home team.
