Barcelona to provide Sunday evening value
Barcelona travel to Mallorca in looking to break into the Champions League spots on Sunday evening. The Catalan Giants desperately need to be finishing in the top four this season given the financial situation at the club, Xavi was an appointment made with the long term view in mind, however achieving that will get a lot easier in the short term if Barca can bring in the revenue that competing in the Champions League brings. Real Madrid have broken away at the summit of the division but the top four are still in touching distance which is a huge positive for Barca going into the January transfer window.
Process
It is a bit of a mismatch when taking a look at each of the side’s expected goals (xG) process. Despite appearing to be having a very underwhelming campaign, Barca actually rank second on expected points which suggests that they should not have an issue breaking into the top four in the second half of the season, and initial signs have been mainly good since Xavi returned to the club.
Barca have underperformed to score just 29 from 35.8 xGF and are creating just under 2 xG per game this term. Real Mallorca sit 15th in the table and rank 15th on expected points, they will fancy their chances of upsetting Barca but really their best chance of doing so will be in limiting Xavi’s men’s attacking output.
Goals?
Recent form is a little inconclusive in suggesting whether this one will be entertaining or not for the neutral.
- Mallorca have scored in seven of ten.
- Mallorca have conceded in six of ten.
- Mallorca have seen both teams score in six of ten.
- Mallorca have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
- Barca have scored in seven of ten.
- Barca have conceded in seven of ten.
- Barca have seen both teams score in five of ten.
- Barca have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Xavi’s men can end our week in style with a victory on the island of Mallorca. The hosts have performed reasonably well as a newly promoted side and are a club on the up, however Barcelona should have too much quality all over the pitch to allow them anything in this encounter. The imminent arrival of Ferran Torres should give Barca a boost leading into the fixture.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Luuk De Jong grabbed the only goal of the game. 1-0 Barca.