RCD Mallorca will host FC Barcelona on Saturday, 13 June 2020. This will be the first game for both teams in La Liga post the Coronavirus break. RCD Mallorca is in 18th place in the league and 1 point from safety. They will want to get a good run of games to protect them for relegation. Barcelona, however, is at the opposite end of the table right at the top. They have a slender 2-pt lead over Real Madrid. Thus, they will want to ensure that they do not slip up and give Madrid a chance to take the lead.
RCD Mallorca: Predicted Lineup
Mallorca will want to field their best possible lineup. After the break, all of their important players are healthy and ready to go. Moreover, they are like to field a 5-3-2 to counter Barcelona’s lethal attack. Manolo Reina is going to be the goalkeeper for them. Agbenyenu, Sedlar, Raillo, Valjient, and Alejandro Pozo should form the five-man defence.
As for the three-man midfield, it is likely to be Dani Rodriguez and Iddrisu Mohammed. Also, Real Madrid talent Takefusa Kubo will likely complete the trio. Moreover, in the attack, Ante Budimir and Cucho Hernandez will play as dual strikers upfront.
FC Barcelona: Predicted Lineup
Barcelona is most likely going to field its usual 4-3-3 formation. Marc Andre Stegen is the clear starter at GK. It is in defence, however, where there might be some question. Clement Lenglet is out through suspension so Gerard Pique and Samuel Umtiti will be the CB pairing. Jordi Alba should retain his spot at LB. At RB, there is doubt between choosing Semedo or Roberto. But given Semedo’s mild fitness issues, Roberto will likely get the start.
Two midfield spots fill themselves with Sergio Busquets at CDM and De Jong at LCM. The third midfield spot always raises questions but according to reports from Spain, Arturo Vidal will get the start after the break. Everyone knows Messi will start. Given Setien’s comments about Suarez’s return to football, he may not get the start. So Griezmann and Ansu Fati might get the start.
RCD Mallorca Vs FC Barcelona: Preview
RCD Mallorca knows they do not have the talent to beat Barcelona by playing an attacking game. Thus, they are likely to play a deep block with their 5-man defence and look to score on the counter. Barcelona has been vulnerable on the counter multiple times this season.
But all reports from Spain suggest that Barcelona players are healthier and in better form than they have been in years. This does not bode well for Mallorca, especially since Barcelona is full of players looking to prove a point. The players will definitely have rust after months of non-competitive football. It won’t be a rout but it will be a comfortable victory for Barcelona with a predicted scoreline of Barcelona winning the game 0-3.
