Overview
Barcelona has won the Spanish Super Cup this season and is aiming for three more titles in the final stage of the season, after securing a place in the Copa del Rey semi-finals thanks to a 2-1 victory over Albacete.
Coach Hansi Flick's team has also won a ticket to the Champions League round of 16, and is also leading the La Liga standings with a 1-point gap from Real Madrid. The Royal team will meet Valencia in a later match.
Barcelona has just won 2 consecutive matches in La Liga against Real Oviedo and Elche. If they continue their triumphant song, they will temporarily widen the gap to 4 points, thereby increasing pressure on Real Madrid in the race that is heating up.
History also favors the Catalan giant. Barcelona is on a 4-match winning streak against Mallorca, including a 3-0 victory in the first leg this season. They have not lost to Mallorca since May 2009 and are also unbeaten at home against this opponent since May 2008. Therefore, it would be a big shock if the away team returns home with all 3 points this weekend.
In the opposite direction, Mallorca had a rather difficult season when they only won 24 points after 22 rounds, ranked 14th and only 2 points ahead of the relegation group. However, coach Jagoba Arrasate's team will enter the match with a spirit boosted by the impressive 4-1 victory over Sevilla. More broadly, they have won 2/3 of their recent matches, including the victory over Athletic Bilbao on January 17.
Mallorca's biggest problem lies in their away form. If at home they have achievements in the fairly good group of the league, then when away from home, this team has only won 1/11 matches, earning only 5 points.
Not stopping there, before the end of February, they still have two heavy challenges - hosting Real Betis on February 15 and then playing away at Celta Vigo a week later.
Mallorca has a physical advantage when they have not had to play since the victory over Sevilla. However, the away match against the defending champion is still an extremely difficult problem.
Personnel situation
Barcelona will continue to be without Gavi (knee injury), Andreas Christensen (knee injury) and Pedri (hamstring injury) in this match. Meanwhile, Raphinha is having a groin problem, so it would be very surprising if the Brazilian player takes time to play.
Compared to the starting lineup against Albacete at Copa del Rey, coach Hansi Flick is likely to make some adjustments. Barcelona may return to a three-man midfield like the match against Elche, with Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez paired with Frenkie de Jong.
If choosing this option, Eric Garcia is likely to be pulled into the center-back position. In attack, the position left by Raphinha may be given to Marcus Rashford, playing alongside Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres to form an attacking trio.
In the opposite direction, Mallorca only has Marash Kumbulla as a notable case in terms of fitness after being absent in the last 2 matches. In general, the away team is in good condition.
With a convincing performance against Sevilla, it would not be surprising if Mallorca kept the starting lineup. In attack, Vedat Muriqi will continue to lead.
Former Barcelona player Jan Virgili is also predicted to start, but Mallorca may adjust on the opposite wing as Antonio Sanchez has a better chance than Takuma Asano.
Expected lineup:
J. Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, E. Garcia, Balde, Olmo, De Jong, Fermin, Yamal, Torres, Rashford.
Roman, Maffeo, Lopez, Valjent, Mojica, Mascarell, Costa, A. Sanchez, Darder, Virgili, Muriqi.
The match between Barcelona and Mallorca takes place at 10:15 PM on February 7th (Vietnam time).
