La Liga: Mallorca vs Barcelona Head-to-Head
Barcelona on Five-Game La Liga Winning Streak
Multiple Barcelona Stars Injured Over International Break
Barcelona can continue their stellar start to the season when they head across the Mediterranean to face Mallorca on Saturday. After nearly getting relegated last season, Mallorca have played well recently. That could make this a more challenging match than it appears, especially with Barcelona’s extensive injury report. However, the Mallorca vs Barcelona head to head has been dominated by the Catalan club for a while. Let’s take a closer look at each team and the odds in this La Liga matchup.
La Liga – Mallorca vs Barcelona Game Info:
- Location: Visit Mallorca Stadium, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
- Date & Time:
- TV: ESPN+
Head-to-Head
Mallorca have had a rough time vs. Barcelona and have dropped the last nine meetings. Last season both Mallorca vs Barcelona head to head matches were close, though. Barcelona picked up a 1-0 road win and defeated Mallorca 2-1 at the Camp Nou. Mallorca’s last win over Barcelona came in 2009 and they’ve failed to score in five of the last eight fixtures.
No Complaints for Mallorca
- La Liga Record: 2-2-2, 8 pts, 10th
- La Liga Form: W,L,D,W,L
- Injuries and Suspensions: F Amath N’Diaye (Day-to-Day), F Tino Kadewere (Out)
In the 2021-22 season, Mallorca managed to take seven points from their final three games to avoid relegation. Recently, they’ve looked like a team that wholeheartedly belongs in the Spanish top flight. Behind three goals from Kosovar forward Vedat Muriqi, Mallorca are 2-2-2 through their first six matches. Currently, that’s good enough to sneak into the top half of the table.
The Mallorca defense has often been solid and has kept shutouts in half of their matches so far.
One of the better La Liga betting tips in Mallorca matches has been taking the under so far. Two or fewer goals have been scored in four of their six matches to open up the season. The Mallorca defense has often been solid and has kept shutouts in half of their matches so far. The Islanders’ schedule prior to the World Cup break should prove to be more challenging, though.
Last time out, Mallorca defeated newly promoted Almeria 1-0 for their first home win of the season. Spanish defender Pablo Maffeo scored the winner as Mallorca scored first in their fourth straight match. Mallorca even managed to open up the scoring vs. Real Madrid in September but eventually fell 4-1. They’ve only averaged one goal per game so far but figure to improve once Tino Kadewere returns from injury.
Tough Breaks for Barcelona
- La Liga Record: 5-0-1, 16 pts, 2nd
- La Liga Form: W,W,W,W,W
- Injuries and Suspensions: D Jules Kounde (Out), D Hector Bellerin (Out), D Ronald Araujo (Out), M Frenkie de Jong (Out), F Memphis Depay (Out)
After starting so well, the international break was disastrous for Barcelona. Their defensive depth has been decimated with injuries to both Jules Kounde and Ronald Araujo. Kounde is expected to miss three to four weeks with a muscle issue. Meanwhile, Araujo likely won’t play until after the World Cup and underwent thigh surgery on Monday. With both Kounde and Hector Bellerin out, Xavi will have to rely on Sergi Roberto at right back.
Punters will likely be cautious betting on Barcelona until the impacts from the injuries are more understood. Plus, Dutch duo Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay also sustained injuries during the international break. De Jong will be missed for a few weeks in the center of the park and teenager Gavi should get more time as a result. Depay is more of a backup forward but he’ll still be missed, especially now that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is at Chelsea.
With a jam-packed La Liga October schedule, the injury crisis comes at an incredibly inopportune for Barcelona. Barça face Real Madrid in El Clasico in two weeks’ time and have three Champions League matches this month. Still, they’ve have won five straight matches in La Liga and will continue to be dangerous up front. Robert Lewandowski has an incredible eight goals in five starts.
Odds & Preview
While the Mallorca vs Barcelona head to head standings favor Barça, last season’s matches were both close ones. With the injuries also in play, Mallorca are implied to be more likely to cover the spread. Mallorca +1½ currently sits at -120 odds and they haven’t lost by more than one goal at home since May. However, all five of Barcelona’s wins this season have been by a three or more goal margin.
Barcelona have been excellent on defense, with five shutouts in six matches. They’ve only conceded a single goal all season but their back line will look a lot different come Saturday. It’s also worth noting that Barcelona are 3-0 ATS on the road so far this season. The visitors sit at -280 odds to win and Xavi will be expecting his players to get the job done. Mallorca, who are winless vs. Barcelona for 13 years, are priced at +750. A draw, which has only occurred once in the last ten fixtures, shows +450 odds.
Over three goals have been scored in just one of Mallorca’s matches this season, when they lost to Real Madrid. Barcelona have a very similar offensive profile to Real but under three goals stands at -125 odds for Saturday’s match. It’ll be interesting to see whether Barcelona can keep up their stellar form despite all of the injuries.
