PREVIEW: Barça look to extend their gap at the top of LaLiga table as they host Mallorca | OneFootball

Looking for back to back LaLiga title wins for the first time since 2018, Hansi Flick’s Barça have had a nearly perfect season so far, with just one draw and three losses from their 22 games this season, and they’ll look to add to their impressive points tally with a win against Mallorca on Saturday.

Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal this season have scored a combined 21 goals this season, and coupled with the ever-presence of veteran striker Robert Lewandowski and the talents of on-loan winger Marcus Rashford and former Leeds United winger Raphinha, this has made the Blaugrana an unprecedented attacking threat. They’ve already netted 60 times this season.

Victory in the Copa del Rey against Albacete last weekend made it five wins on the bounce, which also included advancement into the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League. Yamal, Torres and Rashford all netted in their last league game against Elche, which will boost their confidence heading into an important match up against Mallorca as their closest rivals Real Madrid have a tricky fixture at home to Real Sociedad.

Mallorca have been the definition of a steady side since their promotion back to the top flight in Spain. After coming second in the second division in the 2020/21 season, Mallorca have recorded finishes in 16th, 9th, 15th, 10th and 14th in the five seasons since their return to the top flight – but they currently sit 14th, and with how congested the bottom half of the LaLiga table is, they could easily slip back into the danger zone.

A resounding 4-1 victory over fellow strugglers Sevilla in their last game provided Mallorca with the boost they’d need to continue to thrive in LaLiga. Adding to their strong performances of late, they also have the immense goalscoring talents of Kosovan striker Vedat Muriqi, who is the second highest scorer in the league this season after the mercurial Kylian Mbappe. Muriqi has netted 15 times in 22 games, which could prove to be the difference maker for Mallorca if they are to be dragged into a relegation battle.

Barcelona are without their two midfield starlets and La Masia graduates in Pedri and Gavi who both remain out until late February and early March respectively. Pedri is recovering from a hamstring injury and Gavi is suffering from arthroscopy so will be sidelined for a longer period. Elsewhere, defender Andres Christensen is still out with a ligament tear and isn’t expected to feature until the spring at least. Raphinha missed Barça’s latest game but is expected to make an appearance on Saturday.

Mallorca have a pretty clean sweep in terms of injuries currently with only Marash Kambulla being a doubt for Saturday’s game, with the 25-year old missing the last two matches for the side. Because of this, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mallorca boss Jogoba Arraste field the same starting 11 as the one that thrashing Sevilla in their last outing.

Barcelona host Mallorca at the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday 7th February, with kick-off in LaLiga scheduled for 15:15 GMT.