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 the league.
The Catalan giants are top of the table with 55 points in their 22 outings, thanks to 18 wins and a draw. They 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 Sociedad, Barcelona have won each of 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, the visitors are 14th on the table with 24 points in their 22 outings. They 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 visitors 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.
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.
In the centre of the park, Frenkie de Jong will start alongside Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez. 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 be the one leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): J Garcia; Kounde, Cubarsi, E Garcia, Balde; Olmo, De Jong, Fermin; Yamal, Torres, Rashford
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.
Omar Mascarell and Samu Costa will form the double pivot in midfield. They will look to shield the backline and ensure 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. Vedat Muriqi should be the one leading the line for the away team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Roman; Maffeo, Lopez, Valjent, Mojica; Mascarell, Costa; A Sanchez, Darder, Virgili; Muriqi
Yamal will be the player to watch when Barcelona take on RCD Mallorca, given his sensational form in the final third. The teenage winger 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 one-v-one 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.
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 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.
