La Liga | Gameweek 19

Dec 3, 2024 at 6pm UK

Estadio Iberoamericano 2010

Mallorcavs.Barcelona

Match preview

You may surprised to see Mallorca in sixth place in the La Liga table, given that they've only scored 15 times in 15 league games this season. Their success this term seems to be built on a strong defence.

Jagoba Arrasate's side has only conceded 13 times, which is the joint third-best defensive record in the division. They'll be going into this match on a high after successive wins over Las Palmas and Valencia.

The Pirates were beaten by Valencia on Friday night. Luis Rioja scored from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute, but Cyle Larin equalised towards the end of the first half. Abdon Prats scored the winning goal late on.

Mallorca are just two points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao and will be looking to secure a European spot this term. However, they will need to start scoring more regularly if that is to be the case.

It's been a while since Mallorca beat Barcelona – the last time was back in May 2009. But in the corresponding match during the 2023-24 campaign, the points were shared. Mallorca will be welcoming a team that's currently struggling for form in the league.

Barcelona have only picked up one point from their last three league games, and they'll be coming into this match off the back of a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Las Palmas.

The Catalan team are still at the top of the La Liga table, with a record of 11 wins, one draw and three losses from 15 matches, bringing them 34 points. However, they are now just one point above second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand.

Real Madrid beat Getafe 2-0 on Sunday afternoon, taking the lead in the Spanish title race again. Barcelona will be keen to get back to winning ways on Tuesday ahead of a trip to Real Betis next weekend.

Flick's team have scored the most goals in La Liga this season, with 43, but they've also conceded 16 times, with four of those coming in their last two matches.

Barcelona are having a bit of a wobble in Spain's top flight, but they've been impressive in the Champions League this season. They've won four of their five matches, which has left them third in the overall table behind Liverpool and Inter Milan, with 12 points.

Recent Performance

Mallorca La Liga form:WDLLWW

Barcelona La Liga form:WWWLDL

Barcelona form (all competitions):WWLDWL

Team News

Mallorca will be without Toni Lato, Ivan Cuellar, Takuma Asano and Copete for Tuesday's game, but Vedat Muriqi is back in contention after serving a suspension against Barcelona last time out.

It looks like Muriqi is set to return to the side, which could mean that Dani Rodriguez drops out. It seems likely that Sergi Darder and Robert Navarro will operate in the wide midfield positions against Barcelona.

Larin will stay in the final third of the field, and it looks like there won't be any more changes. Manu Morlanes and Samu Costa are set to keep their spots in the middle for the Pirates.

Barcelona will still be without Ansu Fati, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen, Ronald Araujo and Marc-André ter Stegen, but Marc Casado will be back after serving a suspension against Las Palmas.

Alejandro Balde was taken off with a neck injury against Las Palmas after a collision with Sandro Ramírez. The Spain international is believed to have recovered from the incident, but it would be no surprise to see him rested in this clash.

Lamine Yamal should return to the team after making his comeback from injury off the bench on Saturday, while Dani Olmo is also set to start, having been an unused substitute last time out.

Possible starting lineup

Mallorca possible starting lineup:

Greif; Morey, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica; Morlanes, Costa; Navarro, Darder; Larin, Muriqi

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Martin; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski