Barca starts its title defense mission on the party island
Just before the start of the La Liga season, FC Barcelona is once again in registration chaos. Until Wednesday, for example, it was not even certain whether newly signed goalkeeper Joan Garcia would be allowed to play in the first match. However, as the injury to the sacked captain Marc Andre ter Stegen meets the criteria for a long-term injury, the keeper who joined from city rivals Espanyol will make his competitive debut on the Balearic holiday island.
In all likelihood, they will also pick up three points, as all the statistics and other factors in the run-up to the match between Mallorca and Barcelona point to a win for the reigning Spanish double winners! I even expect the visitors to score in both halves.
However, the opening opponent should not be taken too lightly. After all, Mallorca scored points at home against Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad last season. Coach Jagoba Arrasate’s team collected 27 of their 48 points in front of their home crowd.
Because there were no major changes in the summer and the “Bermellones” were able to keep almost all of their key players, another season in the solid mid-table is on the cards. After a solid preseason, which ended with a 2-0 win against Hamburger SV, it would still be a surprise if the underdogs were to pick up a point against Barcelona at the weekend.
Coach Hansi Flick’s team was too strong last season and the offense led by superstar Lamine Yamal has shown too much enthusiasm in preseason so far. In four test matches, the Catalans, who certainly have the advantage of not having participated in the Club World Cup, scored a whopping 20 (!) goals.
There were three wins to celebrate on the Asia Tour, while the official season opener on their own training ground against ambitious Italian first division side Como ended in a 5-0 victory. The former German national coach’s approach will remain unchanged in 2025/26, so a spectacle in Palma is virtually guaranteed. I can even imagine FCB dominating once again and winning both halves.
Mallorca – Barcelona Head-to-head record / H2H record
2008 was the last time Barcelona lost a league game against RCD Mallorca. Seventeen years ago, the Catalans even lost in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, their last defeat on the Germans’ favorite island came 25 years ago in October 2000.
Incidentally, the goal scorer in the 2-0 home win for Mallorca was a certain Samuel Eto’o, who later celebrated great success in Barcelona. In 2024/25, Flick’s team won both the home and away games. At home, it was a narrow 1-0 victory. In the Balearic Islands, the reigning champions even prevailed 5-1. An isolated win bet on the three-way market is tempting for Saturday’s match between Mallorca and Barcelona, with maximum odds of 1.55 at Betway.
Mallorca – Barcelona Tip
Off the pitch, FC Barcelona has not presented itself particularly well in recent weeks in its dealings with Marc Andre ter Stegen. On the other hand, the Catalans are currently the measure of all things in La Liga in terms of football. Yamal and Co. scored 102 goals last season. In their recently concluded preseason, they scored 20 goals in just four games. RCD Mallorca can therefore expect another offensive show of strength from the double winners. Although the home side can field a well-rehearsed team, I am leaning heavily toward an away win for Flick’s side.
However, given that the betting odds for a Barcelona win are only interesting for a combination bet ahead of the Mallorca vs. Barcelona match, I am taking a slightly bigger risk and therefore recommend betting on Barca to score at least once in both halves. A stake of four out of a possible ten units is conceivable.
