Match for the 1st round of the La Liga, at Son Moix, home of Mallorca.
Facts
- Barcelona is unbeaten against Mallorca since 2009.
- They have a dominant 16-2-0 record from that point on, keeping 11 clean sheets.
Betting tip Mallorca – Barcelona
Mallorca is more or less the same side as last season, and going off that, we expect a strong offensive performance at home. Barcelona start off their title defence against an opponent they’ve had absolutely no trouble with.
It’s up to them whether they will be able to win this one, as they are the (much) better team. Barcelona to win does not present good value, but BTTS does, with 1.75 odds.
- Recommendation: BTTS
- Odds:1.80 (at the time of writing)
Mallorca
Last season was Jagoba Arrasate’s first one as Mallorca manager, and, despite securing another stay in the top flight for the fifth consecutive season, it ended with a bittersweet feeling.
That is because the islanders squandered a European football spot right at the end of the season, winning just one of their last 7 games (1-2-4) and finishing in 10th place.
On the transfer front, Mallorca was able to retain all its major contributors, apart from defender Copete and winger Robert Navarro, who left the team. At the same time, starting goalkeeper Greif is close to securing a transfer to Olympique Lyonnais, while reliable defender Maffeo is a target for many European clubs.
They have been rather underwhelming when it comes to strengthening the squad. Their only additions have been midfielder Torre, goalkeeper Bergstrom, and forward Joseph, but we are yet to see their contributions.
Despite that, the team performed well in the preseason friendlies, including an impressive 2-0 victory over Hamburg (9/8). Starting midfielder Samú Costa is unlikely to feature in this one, but, on the positive side, newcomer Joseph is available.
Barcelona
Manager Hansi Flick’s first season at the helm in Barcelona was dream-like, and the German led his team to all three domestic titles, despite playing away from the Camp Nou for the season.
The Catalans secured a dominant league title, their 28th in the club's history. They scored 102 goals, backed by the prolific Yamal-Raphinha-Lewandoski trio. Barca won 16 of their last 19 and managed to leapfrog Real Madrid.
Such an achievement is particularly impressive as it’s coming during a period where the club is being plagued by financial difficulties. Barca has been moving cautiously in the transfer market this summer, adding goalkeeper Joan Garcia and forward Marcus Rashford.
Apart from veteran defender Inigo Martinez, the Catalans have retained most of their core performers and are primed for a successful Champions League run. The Camp Nou renovations are nearly done, and Barca will return to their natural home this season.
An unexpected matter with goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen troubled the club recently, but the German backed down and signed the necessary medical documents to resolve it. At the same time, this development will allow the team to register the newly arrived Garcia and Rashford in their squad for the La Liga.
Their last preseason game ended in typical Flick’s Barca fashion, a dominant 5-0 win over Como (10/8). Ter Stegen will be absent from this match, and potentially for the rest of the year, while talisman Lewandowski is questionable.
