Mallorca vs Barcelona: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Barcelona sit at the top of the LaLiga table

The footballing world eagerly awaits another exhilarating LaLiga showdown as Mallorca prepares to face the mighty Barcelona. The stage is set, the players are ready, and the fans are eager to witness the action unfold on Tuesday night. As Barcelona seeks to extend their remarkable winning streak, Mallorca aims to make a statement at their home ground.

Barcelona enters this clash as the team to beat, having clinched six consecutive wins in all competitions. Their LaLiga campaign has been nothing short of spectacular, with 16 points from six matches, placing them comfortably at the top of the table. Their recent victory over Celta Vigo saw them claw back from a 2-0 deficit, showcasing their resilience and determination.

Mallorca, on the other hand, finds themselves in the middle of the pack, currently sitting in 15th place with just five points from their opening six games. Their journey has been a mixed bag, with one win, two draws, and three losses. They began their season with a 1-1 draw against Las Palmas, followed by consecutive defeats to Villarreal and Granada. Mallorca's fortunes improved slightly with a draw against Athletic Bilbao and a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo after the international break.

Both teams come into this matchup fresh off thrilling encounters over the weekend. Mallorca was part of an eight-goal spectacle against Girona, ultimately falling short with a 5-3 defeat. Meanwhile, Barcelona managed to secure a 3-2 win against Celta Vigo, with a late-game comeback that left fans on the edge of their seats.

Kick-off:

Tuesday, September 26, 2023, 09:30 PM (IST) at Iberostar Estadi in Balearic Islands, Spain.

Form

Mallorca: D L L D W L

Barcelona: D W W W W W

Players to watch in Mallorca vs Barcelona

Dani Rodríguez (Mallorca)

The club has announced that Dani Rodriguez has extended his contract with Mallorca till the end of the 2022–23 campaign.

This season, Vicente Moreno's team has benefited greatly from the contributions of the 32-year-old midfielder, who has played 29 times and scored five goals.

Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

In the comeback victory over Celta, Robert Lewandowski notched two goals, and he will start in the middle against Mallorca while Joao Felix is expected to play on the left.

But mysteriously, the home team recovered late on. Felix lobbed the ball over the defence, and Lewandowski grabbed it to score the first goal for the Blaugrana. Shortly after, the striker scored again by converting a cross from Joao Cancelo. In the 89th minute, the full-back scored the game-winning goal in the most spectacular fashion by poking home at the far post following a well-executed play.

Match facts for Mallorca vs Barcelona

• Javier Aguirre, Mallorca's head coach, is likely to maintain some stability in the squad despite their defensive struggles against Girona.
• Changes may be seen in the defensive line, with Copete being a probable inclusion.
• Barcelona's head coach, Xavi, has been rotating players on the right side of the attack, and it might be Raphinha's turn to start.

Team news and injury for Mallorca vs Barcelona

Mallorca heads into this contest with a couple of injury concerns. Omar Mascarell and Antonio Raillo will be unavailable due to injuries. However, they have a potential game-changer in Abdon Prats, who scored twice as a substitute against Girona. Prats is expected to be in the starting lineup, possibly in a wider position, while Vedat Muriqi leads the attack.

Barcelona, on the other hand, have been dealt a blow with Frenkie de Jong's ankle injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for around six weeks. Pedri also remains out with a thigh problem. As a result, Gavi may step in alongside Oriol Romeu and Ilkay Gundogan in the midfield trio.

Defender Ronald Araujo, who recently returned from injury, could make his way into the starting lineup, possibly replacing Andreas Christensen. Additionally, Alejandro Balde is likely to return as the left-back.

Head-to-Head

Barcelona holds a dominant record against Mallorca in recent LaLiga encounters. They have emerged victorious in each of their last 11 league meetings. Remarkably, Barcelona have not suffered a defeat against Mallorca in Spain's top flight since May 2009. This historical dominance could play a psychological role in the upcoming fixture.

Matches: 18

Mallorca: 1

Draw: 2

Barcelona: 15

Predicted lineup for Mallorca vs Barcelona

Mallorca: Rajkovic; Maffeo, Valjent, Nastasic, Copete, Lato; D Rodriguez, Morlanes, Costa, Prats; Muriqi

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Cancelo, Kounde, Araujo, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Felix

Match prediction for Mallorca vs Barcelona

As we look ahead to the showdown between Mallorca and Barcelona, one can't help but expect a closely contested match. Mallorca, despite their defensive woes, has shown glimpses of resilience and attacking prowess. However, it's challenging to bet against Barcelona's current form. Their ability to find a way to win matches, even when the odds are against them, is a testament to their quality.

Prediction: Mallorca 1-2 Barcelona

As the two teams prepare to battle it out on the field, football fans worldwide will be glued to their screens, eagerly awaiting the drama, skill, and passion that LaLiga consistently delivers. Regardless of the final score, one thing is for sure – this encounter promises to be a spectacle that will be talked about long after the final whistle. So, stay tuned for an unforgettable night of football!

Telecast

India – Sports 18 Networks

UK– Premier Sports 2

US – ESPN+

Nigeria –DStv Now