Soccer
Barcelona Aims to Extend La Liga Lead in Crucial Clash Against Mallorca
Barcelona are back in the spotlight on Tuesday night as they prepare to host Mallorca in a crucial La Liga fixture. With the title race heating up, this match could play a pivotal role in the Catalan club’s championship ambitions.
With the finish line of the La Liga season in sight, Barcelona looks to solidify its position at the top when it faces Mallorca at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Fresh off a thrilling comeback against Celta Vigo, the Catalan side returns to domestic duties eager to stay ahead of Real Madrid in a fiercely contested title race.
Momentum vs Resilience
Barcelona has had a relentless schedule, competing across domestic and European fronts. Despite signs of fatigue, their resilience was on full display in their 4-3 win over Celta. With multiple trophies still within reach, including the Copa del Rey and Champions League, each fixture carries immense weight.
Mallorca, meanwhile, has exceeded expectations this season, climbing into the top half of the table and flirting with European qualification. Their recent defensive solidity, demonstrated in a goalless draw with Leganes, will be put to the test against one of the league’s most potent attacking forces.
Match Details
- Location: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona
- Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025
- Kick-off: 20:30 BST / 15:30 ET / 12:30 PT
- Referee: Gil Manzano
- VAR: Javier Iglesias Villanueva
Team Form
Barcelona (Last 5 Games)
- Barcelona 4-3 Celta Vigo
- Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Barcelona
- Leganes 0-1 Barcelona
- Barcelona 4-0 Borussia Dortmund
- Barcelona 1-1 Real Betis
Mallorca (Last 5 Games)
- Mallorca 0-0 Leganes
- Real Sociedad 0-2 Mallorca
- Mallorca 1-2 Celta Vigo
- Valencia 1-0 Mallorca
- Mallorca 2-1 Espanyol
Team News
Barcelona
Barcelona will be without Robert Lewandowski due to a hamstring strain sustained during the comeback win over Celta. His absence is a significant blow, though Ferran Torres is expected to fill the void up front. Also sidelined are Alejandro Balde and Marc Casado, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen is back in training after a lengthy layoff.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):
Szczesny; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Torres
Mallorca
Manager Jagoba Arrasate’s side may be without several key players, including Manu Morlanes, Vedat Muriqi, Robert Navarro, and Takuma Asano. Despite these injuries, Mallorca have demonstrated tactical discipline and team cohesion throughout the season.
Predicted XI (5-4-1):
Greif; Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Copete, Mojica; D. Rodriguez, S. Costa, Darder, A. Sanchez; Larin
Match Outlook
Barcelona enter the fixture as clear favorites but may need to grind out a result given their hectic fixture list and injury concerns. Mallorca’s defensive structure and disciplined approach could frustrate the hosts, but their limited offensive threat will make it difficult to capitalize on Barcelona’s fatigue.
Expect a measured performance from the league leaders, who will be focused on securing three points without unnecessary risk.