Following a dramatic comeback victory over Celta Vigo on the weekend, Barcelona faces a packed schedule as they host Mallorca on Tuesday afternoon. With the La Liga title race ongoing, manager Hansi Flick must manage player rotation, especially with the Copa del Rey final scheduled for Saturday. While a Clasico showdown against Real Madrid awaits, Barcelona cannot afford to overlook Mallorca, holding only a four-point lead in the league.
This match also marks the first appearance for Barcelona without their star striker, Robert Lewandowski. The prolific Polish forward has been in exceptional form, netting 37 goals across all competitions this season, but he is now sidelined for at least the next three matches due to a `left semitendinosus injury.` With crucial Copa del Rey and potential Champions League semifinals on the horizon, Barcelona needs to adapt their attack. This likely means Ferran Torres will play as the main forward. Supported by Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, Barcelona still possesses significant attacking threat, but the dense fixture list makes managing player fitness challenging, as Flick cannot rely solely on his key players for every minute.
Here are the key storylines, how to watch the match, and more:
How to watch Barcelona vs. Mallorca and odds
- Date: Tuesday, April 22 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys — Barcelona, Spain
- Live stream: ESPN+
- Odds: Barcelona -450; Draw +525; Mallorca +1100
Storylines
Barcelona: With Lewandowski injured, Flick has publicly supported Torres in the number nine role but also expressed concern about the fitness of other squad members ahead of the match. Key midfielders like Frenkie De Jong and Pedri, along with wingers Yamal and Raphinha, are vital players who need to be fit for Barcelona`s push in both the Copa del Rey and potentially the Champions League. However, Tuesday`s match is the immediate priority.
`He`s very important. It`s important that we manage him,` Flick said of Torres. `He`s in a very good moment in his career; he`s scored ten goals in La Liga. And I think nine is the right position for him. What he shows, too, is he`s a fast player, but he can also control the ball and give us a lot when we defend. But we also have to manage him because we need him until the end of the season.`
Mallorca currently sits seventh in the league, largely thanks to their solid defense. They have aspirations for a European qualification spot, which underscores the importance for Barcelona to balance securing points with ensuring player safety.
Mallorca: Conceding one or fewer goals in eight of their last 10 matches highlights how difficult it is to break down Mallorca`s defense. While they have traditionally been easier to beat away from home, a recent 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad on April 12 suggests this might be changing. Facing Barcelona presents a different level of challenge, requiring a team to maintain intense focus for the entire match and beyond, as Celta Vigo discovered. If Mallorca hopes to qualify for European competition, this match is a significant opportunity to make a statement.
Predicted lineups
Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny, Gerrard Martin, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, Ferran Torres
Mallorca: Dominik Greif, Johan Mojica, Jose Copete, Antonio Raillo, Martin Valjent, Mateu Morey, Sergi Darder, Samu, Omar Mascarell, Antonio Sanchez, Cyle Larin
Prediction
Despite the absence of Lewandowski, Barcelona`s attack still boasts considerable talent, which should make it difficult for Mallorca to consistently get out of their own half. Even if Barcelona were to fall behind, their demonstrated mental strength and ability to fight back into matches suggest a comprehensive home win is the most likely outcome. Pick: Barcelona 3, Mallorca 1