Barcelona vs Mallorca prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-03-07 20:00.
[p]Barcelona were left counting the cost of a goalless draw against Athletic Bilbao last weekend, as injuries to Frenkie de Jong and Pedri have left the squad further depleted. With their upcoming UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg tie against Napoli finely poised with a 1-1 score from the first leg – and the second leg on the horizon – manager Xavi’s ability to balance his squad will be tested. However, they can build momentum for that game with a win over Mallorca on Friday – one that would extend their unbeaten streak (W4, D3) and temporarily see them go second in La Liga.[/p]
[p]That said, home form hasn’t been exemplary lately, with Barça winning only three of their last six La Liga encounters at Estadi OlĂmpic LluĂs Companys (D1, L2) and conceding 14 goals in that sequence, although two clean sheets in the last three matches of that run suggests that their defensive woes may have largely been addressed.[/p]
[p]Mallorca may be 15th – albeit with an eight-point gap to the relegation zone – but a Copa del Rey semi-final triumph over Real Sociedad and a league victory over second-placed Girona shows that they can’t be taken lightly. Last weekend’s win over Girona made it seven points from four La Liga games (W2, D1, L1), with even the lone defeat, coincidentally against Real Sociedad, coming courtesy of a late stoppage-time goal.[/p]
[p]The Balearic outfit drew the reverse fixture against Barcelona 2-2 and overall form has been improving, but they remain poor travellers. Mallorca are winless in ten away league matches (D4, L6), making the prospect of a first top-flight H2H victory on the road since May 2008 seem unlikely. Their frontline threatens to prolong that misery here, as the visitors have scored just twice across their last eight La Liga games. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Five of Robert Lewandowski’s last six league goals at home have come during the second half, while Mallorca forward Abdón Prats has demonstrated on several occasions that he is switched on at the end of both halves, with his last three La Liga goals, including one in the reverse fixture, coming during either first or second half stoppage time.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Mallorca were carded first in their last 15 matches.[/p]