Mallorca vs Barcelona Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Real Mallorca will be hoping to really challenge for Europe this season as they take on the defending champions Barcelona, who are hungry for more silverware this year.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Mallorca vs Barcelona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Mallorca preview: Trying to push on
Having narrowly missed out on the top eight and the European spots in La Liga last season, Real Mallorca will be looking to go a bit better this season, with former Osasuna boss Jago Arrasate still at the helm in the Balearic Islands.
The Majorcans have developed their style a bit, but they remain generally ineffective in attack. They will hope that their marquee addition, attacking midfielder Pablo Torre from Barcelona, will provide an extra spark in the final third for this week.
Barcelona preview: Going again
Barcelona were utterly magnificent across all competitions last season as they managed to win the domestic double and reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, with Hansi Flick’s Blaugrana playing a brilliant style of football.
The Catalans have brought in some intriguing additions over the summer, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia joining alongside Marcus Rashford, as well as Roony Bardghji. They still have their doubts as to whether they can be registered in time for the season.
Mallorca team news: Costa a doubt
As they welcome Barcelona to the Balearic Islands this weekend, the Majorcans could be without Portuguese defensive midfielder Samu Costa, who is a doubt this weekend.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Greif; Mateu Morey, Valjent, Antonio Raillo; Pablo Maffeo, Omar Mascarell, Sergi Darder, Johan Mojica; Pablo Torre, Dani Rodriguez; Muriqi
Unavailable:
Questionable: Costa (Injured)
Barcelona team news: Usual chaos at Barca
As usual, there is chaos in terms of registration at Barcelona with Marcus Rashford and Joan Garcia among those that may not be registered in time to play Mallorca this week.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Christensen, Alex Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured)
Questionable: Joan Garcia (Ineligible), Szczesny (Ineligible), Hector Fort (Ineligible), Gerard Martin (Ineligible), Marc Bernal (Injured), Rashford (Ineligible), Bardhji (Ineligible), Lewandowski (Injured)
Mallorca vs Barcelona prediction
Real Mallorca try and play a more progressive style under Jago Arrasate but they remain quite safety first and, even despite that, they were still battered 5-1 by Barcelona in this fixture last December. Barca will head to the Balearic Islands looking to pick up where they left off and, as good as Mallorca could end up being this season, it is expected to be a comfortable away win.
Mallorca vs Barcelona tip: Barcelona to win -1 handicap
