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Barcelona vs Mallorca: Expected starting XI for islanders’ visit

By Nishant Narayanan

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 1: Football players of Barcelona celebrate their win at the end of the La Liga 15th week match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain on December 1, 2019. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 1: Football players of Barcelona celebrate their win at the end of the La Liga 15th week match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain on December 1, 2019. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) /
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With 10 days remaining to El Clasico, Barcelona are back at Camp Nou looking to retain their first place spot on the La Liga table against Mallorca

After securing a spot atop of the La Liga table with a 1-0 victory against Atletico Madrid earlier this week, Barcelona are back at Camp Nou with more League action against RCD Mallorca who are at threat of being relegated.

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The Spanish Champions are big favorites for this fixture, knowing that Mallorca have lost all of their fixtures away from home while on the contrary, the Catalan club have won all matches at home.

Lionel Messi carried Barca on his shoulders in their previous two fixtures, a dominant display against Dortmund in the Champions League and then scoring a late winner to secure 3 points against Atletico. The Argentine will surely look to continue this form against a struggling Mallorca. The last time the two clubs faced each other was back in 2013 where Barca beat the visiting Mallorca 5-0, with Cesc Fabregas scoring a hat-trick.

Expected Starting XI (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Right-back: Sergio Roberto
Centre-back(right): Gerard Pique
Centre-back(left): Clement Lenglet
Left-back: Junior Firpo
Central midfielder(right): Ivan Rakitic
Defensive midfielder: Sergio Busquets
Central midfielder(left): Frenkie de Jong
Right winger: Lionel Messi
Center-forward: Luis Suárez
Left-winger:  Antonie Greizmann

Marc-Andre ter Stegen was out of this world in FC Barcelona’s victory over Atletico with two crucial goal-line saves in the first half and will stay in the goal to continue his outstanding performance between the posts. At right-back, the unsung hero, Sergi Roberto will continue after his great performance against Dortmund and Atletico unless Moussa Wague gets the coach’s nod.

Gerard Pique sustained a knee injury against Atletico and was substituted mid-game but will return to the field with either Samuel Umtiti or Clement Lenglet alongside him. Junior Firpo is expected to yet again retain his spot at Left-Back due to Jordi Alba’s injury and will be given another chance to prove his talent.

Sergio Busquets missed the clubs previous clash due to suspension and is expected to return to the starting lineup, while Frankie de Jong will move to a more central position to use his ability to control the match to dictate Barca’s attack. Ivan Rakitic, to everyone’s surprise, got the starting role in both the previous outings of the club and proved to be a valuable asset yet again. The Croatian is expected to have another chance while Chilean Arthuro Vidal will likely wait for his chance from the bench.

With injuries of Ousmane Dembele and Ansu Fati, Greizmann will be undisputed started against Mallorca alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez to complete the trio. Carles Perez is included in the squad and will look for his minutes as a substitute if everything goes according to plan.

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Who would you like to see featured against Mallorca?