Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Officially getting the defence of their La Liga crown underway on Saturday evening, Barcelona will travel to Palma when they meet Mallorca.
Mallorca
Starting with the hosts, springing a real upset last season as they clinched a top-half finish among Spain’s elite, Mallorca certainly received plenty of plaudits. However, although some in Jagoba Arrasate’s camp might be eyeing a famous European charge this time around, it is fair to say that the Pirates signed off the 2024/25 campaign in the midst of an extended blip. Along with mustering just one-point from any of their final three La Liga appearances, the Palma-based outfit also registered just a single win from any of their last seven showdowns against top-flight opposition. Likewise, hit with a 5-1 drumming when they welcomed Barca to town back in December, Mallorca couldn’t have asked for a tougher opening weekend challenge here.
Mallorca Team News
Completing a permanent switch from Barcelona this summer, Spanish U21 international Pablo Torre will feature against his former teammates on Saturday evening. Despite completing a free move from Chelsea last month, Finnish goalkeeper Lucas Bergstrom will settle for a spot on the bench.
Despite notching just seven La Liga strikes last season, one-time Lazio striker Vedat Muriqi will lead the line this weekend. Arriving from German giants Borussia Dortmund last year, Mateu Morey Bauza will start at right-back.
Barcelona
As for the visitors, while many might have been shocked last summer following Hansi Flick’s arrival in Catalonia, Barcelona embarked on a remarkable rise under the former Bayern Munich boss. Storming their way to a 28th domestic crown and receiving a string of plaudits from across the globe, the Spanish giants will be looking to lay down an early marker on Saturday evening. Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a routine 3-0 romp away at Athletic Bilbao, the defending champions have also suffered just a single La Liga defeat so far this calendar year. Really gaining a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third after notching 102 La Liga strikes last season, Flick’s men will also take plenty of positives away from their summer preparations.
Barcelona Team News
While Marcus Rashford might have completed a loan switch to Catalonia this summer, it remains to be seen if the England international will be registered in time to make his La Liga debut on Saturday eveneing.
Turning 18 last month and embarking on what has been a sensational rise to superstardom, Lamine Yamal will steal plenty of the headlines this weekend. Despite speculation over a potential move away from Catalonia this summer, Polish record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will lead the line.
Mallorca vs Barcelona Key Factors to Consider
- When Mallorca and Barcelona last met back on April 22nd, the defending champions collected a 1-0 victory in Catalonia.
- Likewise, Flick’s side stormed their way to a sensational 5-1 romp when they travelled to Palma last season.
- Barcelona have won all of their previous three meetings against Mallorca by an aggregate score of 7-1.
- Barca are unbeaten in all of their last 18 straight meetings against the Pirates across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to 2009.
- Saturday’s guests have suffered just a single La Liga defeat so far this calendar year.
Conclusion
Officially getting the defence of their La Liga crown underway on Saturday evening, Barcelona will be confident of laying down an opening weekend statement here. Storming their way to a 5-1 romp when they travelled to Palma back on December 3rd, they hold what is a dominant record against Mallorca. Along with winning their previous three meetings by an aggregate score of 7-1, they are also unbeaten in all of their last 18 showdowns across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to 2009. Suffering just a single La Liga defeat so far this calendar year, Flick’s defending champions will be confident of flying out of the traps this weekend.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
