Barcelona travel east to the Balearic Islands to face Mallorca in La Liga on Satuday evening.
Mallorca is a poignant opponent for Xavi Hernandez. The Catalan-born midfielder made the first of his 767 appearances for Barcelona against the island outfit, marking his competitive debut with a goal for Louis van Gaal’s side.
Here’s the XI Xavi may watch on from the dugout against Mallorca this weekend.
Mallorca team news
Mallorca’s second-choice goalkeeper Dominik Greif is inching towards a return to the bench after sitting out the entirety of 2022 thus far with an ankle problem.
An injury sustained during one of his first training sessions has prevented Tino Kadawere from making his debut for the club – and becoming the first Zimbabwean in La Liga history – after arriving on loan from Lyon in the summer. The 26-year-old striker ruptured his right quadriceps, ruling him out for up to six months.
Fellow forward Amath Ndiaye is also a doubt with a finger injury.
Mallorca predicted lineup vs Barcelona
Mallorca Starting 11 (3-5-1-1): Rajkovic; Valjent, Raillo, Copete; Maffeo, Sanchez, Ruiz de Galarreta, Grenier, Costa; Lee; Muriqi.
Bench: Roman, Prats, Baba, D Rodriguez, A Rodriguez, Llabres, Gonzalez, Junior, Cufre.
Barcelona team news
Barcelona were hit hard by the international break. During Uruguay’s friendly against Iran, Ronald Araujo sustained a thigh injury which requires surgery and is set to sideline the centre-back for three months, ruling him out of the World Cup.
Both Frenkie de Jong and Memphis Depay picked up hamstring complaints during the Netherlands’ Nations League victory against Poland. Jules Kounde was also injured in the same area while on international duty with France. Ousmane Dembele returned from Les Bleus’ camp with a fitness concern which may not see him risked against Mallorca.
Hector Bellerin’s involvement is in doubt after suffering a muscular problem during training. However, the club are reportedly confident that the right-back will be available this weekend and his presence is urgently needed given the fitness struggles endured by fellow right-back Sergi Roberto.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Mallorca
Barcelona Starting 11 (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Bellerin, Christensen, Garcia, Balde; Kessie, Busquets, Gavi; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Fati.
Bench: Pena, Tenas, Pique, Dembele, Torres, Alonso, Alba, Pedri, Torre.
Prediction: Mallorca 0-2 Barcelona
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