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Mallorca vs. Barcelona: La Liga Clash Preview
Barcelona faces a crucial La Liga match against Mallorca on Tuesday, aiming to rebound from recent setbacks. Real Madrid's recent win has narrowed the gap at the top of the table, putting pressure on the Catalan giants. This preview delves into the key aspects of the match, including team news, potential lineups, and predictions.
Mallorca's Defensive Strength
Mallorca, currently sitting surprisingly high in sixth place, boasts a remarkably strong defense. They've only conceded 13 goals this season—a joint third-best record in La Liga. Their success, however, isn't mirrored in their attack, having scored a modest 15 goals in 15 games. Despite this offensive weakness, their recent victories over Las Palmas and Valencia demonstrate their ability to snatch wins, even with limited scoring opportunities. They'll be aiming for a shock victory against Barcelona, a team they last beat in May 2009.
Barcelona's Wobble
Barcelona, despite remaining atop the La Liga table, is experiencing a mini-crisis. They've only earned one point from their last three league games, including a shocking 2-1 home defeat to Las Palmas. This slump has seen their lead over Real Madrid shrink to a mere point, with Real having a game in hand. While their Champions League form remains strong, Barcelona needs a resounding victory in Mallorca to regain momentum and confidence ahead of their upcoming match against Real Betis.
Team News and Potential Lineups
Mallorca will be without Toni Lato, Ivan Cuellar, Takuma Asano, and Copete, but Vedat Muriqi returns from suspension. Barcelona will miss Ansu Fati, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen through injury. However, Marc Casado returns from suspension. Alejandro Balde's availability is questionable after suffering a neck injury. Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo are expected to start.
Possible Starting Lineups:
- Mallorca: Greif; Morey, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica; Morlanes, Costa; Navarro, Darder; Larin, Muriqi
- Barcelona: Peña; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Martin; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Prediction
This is a tricky fixture for Barcelona. While Mallorca's attacking prowess is limited, their resolute defense presents a real challenge. However, Barcelona's superior attacking firepower should ultimately prove decisive. A narrow victory for the Catalan giants is anticipated.
Prediction: Mallorca 1-2 Barcelona
Where to Watch
Check your local listings for broadcast information. Many international broadcasters will be showing the game.
