Barca look to send a statement in Mallorca trip

Real Mallorca’s fight against the drop becomes menacingly tougher as they welcome the visit of Barcelona gunning for a third successive title. Quique Setien’s side evaded a few wobbles in the lead up to the suspension of play including a defeat in El Clasico, managing to remain top of the tree, two points above Zinedine Zidane’s Galacticos. Mallorca reached La Liga with back to back promotions, with survival being their toughest test yet, Lionel Messi and co will smell blood and could send a statement out in this fixture. The Catalan Giants are huge favourites and will not disappoint their global fan base in their eagerly awaited return.

Key men

The standout player in an attacking sense for the hosts is Ante Budimir, the 28-year-old Croatian signed from Italian club Crotone and has proven to be an outstanding bit of business. He joined initially on loan before putting pen to paper on a permanent deal for just under £2million, proving to be much more effective in La Liga compared to in the Segunda Liga, the Mallorca main man has scored nine and assisted three.

The next key player does not need any billing, Lionel Messi’s determination to drag his side to another title and potentially a Champions League crown is enormous. So much so that he is around 1.40 to score at anytime in this fixture… what is the point? In all seriousness, once again the Messiah has been the best player in the Spanish topflight by a mile this season, leading the scoring and assisting charts by five and four in chronological order. Achieving that feat despite missing the beginning of the campaign. Turning 33 this month, the Argentine will need to prove his body can maintain his skyscraper levels of performance, aiming to avoid the drop off the typical attacker at his age may suffer.

Then comes another man who has missed much of the season through injury. Luis Suarez has only made 17 appearances in the league this season, but has made the most of that time, bagging 11 and setting up seven, the Uruguayan now 33 is fighting against the clock in pushing for a La Liga and Champions League double. He two is odds on to find the net in this one, the Mallorca backline will have their work cut out with what is set up to be a backs against the wall job on Saturday evening.

Barcelona will momentarily stretch their lead at the top to five points, by outclassing a Mallorca side who are likely to head back to the second tier.

Real Mallorca – Barcelona Betting Tip

Half Time/Full Time Barcelona/Barcelona + Barcelona (-1) Handicap with bet365 at odds of 37/25 or 2.47.

Bet Half Time/Full Time Barcelona/Barcelona + Barcelona (-1) Handicap on Bet365