Mallorca vs Barcelona prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-12-02 18:00.
[p]It’s over 20 years since Mallorca last competed in a major European competition, but that run might be about to end if they continue their remarkable start to the campaign. The Pirates have won seven times in 15 La Liga outings (D3, L5), with a 2-1 come-from-behind success against Valencia on Friday night keeping them in touch with the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.[/p]
[p]Jagoba Arrasate’s side have already accumulated 24 points, doing so in 11 games fewer than it took the class of 2023/24, when they were embroiled in a relegation battle. It is therefore no wonder that supporters are singing the praises of their manager, who admits he “couldn’t be happier” with the direction of travel in which his team are travelling after taking the reins in the summer.[/p]
[p]The next task is a tough one though, as a wounded Barcelona make the trip from the Spanish mainland, looking to bounce back from a shock 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas on Saturday. That result led a “very disappointed” Hansi Flick to admit that his team need to “reconnect” after extending a worrying slump to three top flight matches without success (D1, L2).[/p]
[p]That run marks Barca’s worst form across the same season since November 2021, during which time Ronald Koeman lost his job as manager. The panic button is unlikely to be pressed just yet, given the current crop do still sit top of La Liga, and although Atlético and Real Madrid are breathing down their neck, history suggests Barça will return to form in this match, as they are unbeaten in the last 16 H2Hs (W14, D2).[/p]
[p]Key battle: Mallorca’s AbdĂłn Prats strike against Valencia ended a seven-game goal drought and his last four club goals have alternated between first-half penalties and second-half headers, netting with his head last time out. Barcelona defender Iñigo MartĂnez might be tasked with keeping him quiet, and he is unbeaten in his last seven H2Hs in the league (W5, D2), helping his team keep five clean sheets in the process.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Six of Mallorca’s last eight games have featured more goals in the second half than the first.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Matt Jones[/i][/p]