Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they head to Mallorca on Tuesday evening.
Hansi Flick's side remain top of the La Liga table, but they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas on Saturday, while Mallorca will enter the intriguing contest off the back of a 2-1 home success over Valencia.
Match preview
Mallorca head coach Jagoba Arrasate on September 23, 2024© Imago
Mallorca's position of sixth in the La Liga table is surprising considering that they have only scored 15 times in their 15 league games this season, with their success this term being built on a strong defence.
Indeed, Jagoba Arrasate's side have only conceded 13 times, which is the joint-third best defensive record in the division, and they will enter this match off the back of successive wins over Las Palmas and Valencia.
The Pirates fell behind to Valencia on Friday night, with Luis Rioja netting from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute, but Cyle Larin levelled the scores in the closing stages of the first period, before Abdon Prats netted a winner late on.
Mallorca are only two points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao and will certainly have their eye on a European spot this term, although they will surely need to start hitting the back of the net on a more regular basis if that is to be the case.
The Pirates have not actually beaten Barcelona since May 2009, but the points were shared in the corresponding match during the 2023-24 campaign, and Mallorca will be welcoming a team that are currently struggling for form in the league.
Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona celebrates during his side's Champions League match against Brest, on November 26, 2024© Imago
Barcelona have only picked up one point from their last three league fixtures, and they will enter this match off the back of a shock 2-1 home defeat to Las Palmas.
The Catalan outfit remain top of the La Liga table, with a record of 11 wins, one draw and three defeats from 15 matches bringing them 34 points, but they are now just one point above second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.
Real Madrid beat Getafe 2-0 on Sunday afternoon to regain control of the title race in Spain, and Barcelona will be desperate to return to winning ways on Tuesday ahead of a trip to Real Betis next weekend.
Flick's side are comfortably the leading goalscorers in La Liga this season, finding the back of the net on 43 occasions, but they have now conceded 16 times, with four of those coming in their last two matches.
Barcelona are having a wobble in Spain's top flight, but they have been impressive in the Champions League this season, winning four of their five matches to move onto 12 points, which has left them third in the overall table behind Liverpool and Inter Milan.
Mallorca La Liga form:
Barcelona La Liga form:
Barcelona form (all competitions):
Team News
Alejandro Balde of FC Barcelona on November 26, 2024© Imago
Mallorca will again be missing Toni Lato, Ivan Cuellar, Takuma Asano and Copete for Tuesday's clash, but Vedat Muriqi is available after serving a suspension against Barcelona last time out.
Muriqi is set to return to the side, meaning that Dani Rodriguez could drop out, with Sergi Darder and Robert Navarro likely to operate in the wide midfield positions against Barcelona.
Larin will continue in the final third of the field, while there are unlikely to be any further changes, with Manu Morlanes and Samu Costa set to continue in the middle for the Pirates.
As for Barcelona, Ansu Fati, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain unavailable for selection, but Marc Casado will return after serving a suspension against Las Palmas.
Alejandro Balde was taken off with a neck injury against Las Palmas after a collision with Sandro Ramirez; the Spain international is believed to have recovered from the incident, but it would not be a surprise to see him rested in this clash.
Lamine Yamal should return to the team after making his comeback from injury off the bench on Saturday, while Dani Olmo is also set to start, having been an unused substitute last time out.
Mallorca possible starting lineup:
Greif; Morey, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica; Morlanes, Costa; Navarro, Darder; Larin, Muriqi
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Martin; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
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We say: Mallorca 1-2 Barcelona
This is a really tough match for Barcelona, and it would not be a surprise to see the Catalan outfit drop more points on Tuesday; Flick's side need a response after a difficult run in the league, though, and we are backing the division leaders to navigate their way to a crucial three points at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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