Barcelona return to La Liga action this Saturday, hosting Mallorca at the Spotify Camp Nou in a high-stakes Round 23 clash where anything less than a victory could see them lose their spot at the top of the table.
With 55 points, the Blaugrana hold a razor-thin one-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid. With Madrid facing Valencia on Sunday, Hansi Flick knows his side cannot afford any slip-ups at home. Mallorca, currently sitting 13th with 24 points, arrive in Catalonia desperate to snatch a result and distance themselves from the relegation scrap.
Injury Woes for Flick
The big news ahead of kickoff is the likely absence of Raphinha. The Brazilian winger is still struggling with a muscle strain in his right leg and is expected to be sidelined. This opens the door for Marcus Rashford to start, continuing his impressive run after Barcelona recently moved to make his stay permanent.
However, the injury list doesn’t stop there. Flick is facing a midfield crisis with both Gavi and Pedri out due to fitness issues, while Andreas Christensen remains a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury.
Predicted Lineups
Barcelona XI (4-3-3):
- GK: Joan García
- Defenders: Koundé, Ronald Araújo (or Eric García), Cubarsí, Balde
- Midfield: Frenkie de Jong, Fermín López, Dani Olmo
- Attack: Lamine Yamal, Marcus Rashford, Ferran Torres (or Lewandowski)
Mallorca XI:
Expected to play a low block, prioritizing defensive stability to frustrate Barça’s creative outlets.
Match Info: How to Watch
- Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026
- Kick-off: 15:15 CET / 14:15 GMT / 11:15 BRT
- Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
- Streaming: Live and exclusive on Disney+ (Premium Plan).
Gabriel Lucio is a football analyst covering La Liga, focusing on match analysis, tactical trends, and the race for domestic and European positions.
