RCD Mallorca welcome FC Barcelona to Son Moix on Saturday night in a fixture that has produced surprise results before. With Barcelona chasing the title and Mallorca battling to stay clear of relegation, the stakes are high on the Balearic coast.
Recent Form
Mallorca come into the match unbeaten in three league games, including a 1-0 win at Villarreal and a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Real Betis. Jagoba Arrasate’s side has tightened up defensively, conceding only two goals in that stretch. Barcelona, meanwhile, responded to shock defeats against Girona and Real Madrid by dismantling Valencia 4-2 at Montjuïc, with Robert Lewandowski hitting a hat-trick and teenage winger Lamine Yamal supplying two assists. The victory cut the gap to leaders Real Madrid to five points, but Xavi Hernández knows any further slip-ups could end the title race before April.
Team News
Mallorca will be without injured forward Vedat Muriqi, whose physical presence and aerial ability have been sorely missed. Abdón Prats is expected to lead the line, supported by Dani Rodríguez and Lee Kang-in’s creative sparks. Defensive midfielder Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card, so Manu Morlanes could partner Omar Mascarell in the double pivot.
Barcelona have fresh concerns over Pedri, who felt thigh tightness against Valencia. Fermín López is on standby, while Gavi and Alejandro Balde remain long-term absentees. João Cancelo is available after a minor knock, giving Xavi the option to return to a four-man backline. Ronald Araújo is expected to shift to right-back to counter Mallorca’s left-sided raids, allowing Andreas Christensen to partner Pau Cubarsí centrally.
Tactical Battle
Expect Arrasate to deploy a compact 5-4-1 that morphs into 3-5-2 in possession, full-backs Jaume Costa and Pablo Maffeo pushing high to overlap. Mallorca’s game plan revolves around second-ball chances and set-pieces—no La Liga side has scored more headers this season. Barcelona will dominate the ball, but they have struggled against low blocks when forced wide. Yamal’s one-v-one ability on the right and Cancelo’s under-laps from the left will be crucial to stretch Mallorca’s back five. If Pedri is fit, his combination play with Lewandowski between the lines could unlock the islanders; if not, expect Ilkay Gündogan to operate higher, looking to play quick through-balls.
Key Stats
– Mallorca have won two of the last three home league meetings with Barcelona, including a 1-0 victory last season.
– Barcelona have kept only one clean sheet in their last seven away games across all competitions.
– Lewandowski has scored in each of his last four appearances against Mallorca, totaling six goals.
Prediction
Mallorca’s defensive discipline and aerial threat mean Barcelona cannot afford another slow start. Still, the Blaugrana’s depth and desperation for three points should prevail. Look for a tight first half followed by a late Barcelona surge.
Scoreline: Mallorca 1-2 Barcelona
Scorers: Prats (Mallorca), Lewandowski and Yamal (Barcelona)
