Footy season is upon us, and La Liga action returns this weekend! All the biggest stars suit back up after a summer of friendlies and photo ops. It’s time for a new season, as defending league champs Barcelona take on Mallorca.
Barca nearly took home a treble last year, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey while falling short in the Champions League, losing in the semifinals. Fueled by an incredible young core of players, they’re once again a premier power in Europe. And all eyes are on Lamine Yamal, their 18-year-old superstar winger.
Mallorca haven’t had close to the success that Camp Nou’s residents can boast, but they’re on a great stretch of staying up in the top flight. After being relegated three times between 2013 and 2020, they’ve been up for four straight seasons, finishing mid-table twice. Another season without relegation helps them greatly in their quest to build a real contender.
Barcelona is a -215 favorite on the moneyline for this contest. Let’s take a crack at a preview, prediction, and pick for this Mallorca-Barcelona fixture.
Mallorca vs. Barcelona Prediction, Pick
In the summer transfer window, Mallorca made an effort to get younger. 11 players were on the pitch for Mallorca for over 1,700 minutes last season; seven of them were 30+ years old. Four of those senior players are attacking options: Verdat Muqiri, Sergi Darder, Dani Rodriguez, and Cyle Larin. Barcelona attacking midfielder signee Pablo Torre (22 years old) and former Leeds striker Mateo Joseph (21) bring depth and youth to a rapidly aging attack.
It was a relatively quiet window for Barca. The Blaugrana only made one big-money transfer, purchasing goalkeeper Joan Garcia from RCD Espanyol. He brings another option to the keeper room, one that was in flux last season. Inaki Pena (26 years old) started 16 matches, Wojciech Szcesny (35) started 15, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen (33) started eight. With the latter two soon to age out, some reinforcements were needed to give manager Hansi Flick a depth of options.
The biggest name coming in was Marcus Rashford. After a tumultuous exit from Manchester United, Rashford joins Barcelona on loan. But, in classic Barca fashion, he’s not yet registered as they attempt to navigate financial constraints. It’s unclear when he will be available for team selection. But once in the lineup, he will be a great opposite number to Lamine Yamal.
The talent gap here is colossal. Even at -265 odds on the moneyline, Barca has value here, and feels like a safe money play.
