Barcelona vs Mallorca

Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys is the venue as high-flying Barcelona take on European hopefuls Mallorca in a must-win La Liga clash.

Barcelona pulled off a sensational second-half comeback, overturning a 3-1 deficit in a last-gasp 4-3 home win against Celta Vigo to extend their unbeaten streak in La Liga to 13 games (W11, D2). Four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, Hansi Flick’s men are seemingly stampeding to their second top-flight title in three years while preparing for the Copa del Rey final and Champions League semi-finals. Before that, Los Blaugranas face Mallorca, a side they’ve beaten 15 times across their last 17 H2Hs (D2), including six consecutive victories in Catalonia. Scoring prowess has been Barca’s trademark under Flick, with the runaway leaders netting 3+ goals in seven of their eight most recent home fixtures (W6, D2). Yet, they ominously conceded in five games during that stretch. 

On the other hand, Mallorca will try to take advantage of Barcelona’s defensive woes as they aim to secure European qualification despite drawing 0-0 with relegation-threatened Leganes over the weekend. On course for their best La Liga finish since landing in fifth in 2009/10, Mallorca head into proceedings on the back of successive league clean sheets for the third time this term (W1, D1). Making it three on the trot could be easier said than done, considering Mallorca’s last clean sheet at Barcelona’s home venue came in April 2000! Yet, a low-scoring affair could be on the cards, with Mallorca’s last five away league fixtures featuring a dismal average of 1.8 total goals.