Published on: Dec 7, 2019 5:26 am IST|Updated on: Dec 8, 2019 1:06 am IST
BAR vs MRC Dream11: Barcelona will be looking to keep Real Madrid at 2nd place when they host one of the new boys in La Liga RCD Mallorca at Camp Nou. The Catalan giants are on a five-game winning streak in all competitions, while Mallorca lost three times in the last four league games. Not the sort of momentum you would want to go with to play at one of the toughest stadiums in the world.
Barcelona: The campaign has not been a plain smooth ride. There have been losses which, for the umpteenth time since Barca’s capitulation at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League semifinal 2nd leg, tossed Ernesto Valverde’s future into thin air. And a few streaks which eased the pressure on Valverde fir the time being. Barca are on such run at this moment, as they come into this game with four straight wins in La Liga and five in all competitions. If Barca beat Mallorca at Camp Nou, it will be the best run in the league for Barca this season.
For RCD Mallorca, the target is the same as it was and will be for any promoted team, and that is to pass the first-season hurdle, to avoid the immediate drop. So far, Mallorca have done reasonably well, as they are, not only out of the bottom three but have fared better than the established teams like Celta Vigo, Espanyol and Leganes, with all of them in bottom three at the moment.
But that could be a bad sign for Mallorca. Vigo and Espanyol have the big roster, with better players, at least on paper, so it is expected that both these teams will eventually go on a good run of results. The picture will be more after a few weeks, as Mallorca are set to go on a tough fixture list.
Host: Barcelona Visitors: RCD Mallorca Competition: La Liga Match Venue: Camp Nou Capacity: 99,354 Match Timing: Sunday, December 08, @01:30 AM
Barcelona: Won 0-1 away against Atletico Madrid. Lionel Messi scored the 86th-minute winner. It was their fourth successive win in the league. RCD Mallorca: Lost 1-2 at home against Real Betis.
How high the odds can be against a team? Well, Mallorca are clearly the ultimate underdog in this game as they are valued inordinately at 19.00. Barcelona are the favourites with almost 90% chance of them winning this game.
Barcelona to win: 1.12 (3/25), Probability to happen: 89.29% RCD Mallorca to win: 19.00 (18/1), Probability to happen: 5.26% Draw: 9.00 (8/1), Probability to happen: 11.11%
Barcelona: Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Frenkie de Jong, Gerard Pique RCD Mallorca: Fran Gamez, Daniel Rodriguez, Takefusa Kubo
Barcelona: Lionel Messi: 09 goals Luis Suarez: 07 goals Arturo Vidal: 04 goals
RCD Mallorca: Lago Junior: 04 goals Dani Rodriguez: 03 goals Ante Budimir: 03 goals
Barcelona team news:
Status out: Nelson Semedo, Ousmane Dembele, Jordi Alba, Arthur, Ansu Fati Status questionable- None.
Barcelona squad:
Goalkeeper: Marc Andre Ter Stegen, Neto Defenders: Gerard Piqué, Lenglet, Moussa Wague, Umtiti, Junior Firpo, Todibo Midfielders: Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie De Jong, Arturo Vidal Attackers: Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi,, Griezmann, Aleñá, Carles Pérez
RCD Mallorca team news:
Status out: Marc Pedraza, Lumor Agbenyenu (suspended due to yellow cards) Status questionable- Lago Junior.
RCD Mallorca squad:
Goalkeeper: Reina, Fabricio Defenders: Joan Sastre, Fran Gámez, Xisco, Raíllo, Valjent, Sedlar Midfielders: Señé, Baba, Salva Sevilla, Dani Rodríguez, Aleix Febas, Take Kubo Attackers: Cucho’ Hernández, Abdón Prats, Pablo Chavarría, Ante Budimir
Barcelona: Ter Stegen (GK), Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Firpo,; De Jong, Busquets, Vidal, Messi, Suarez, Griezmann
RCD Mallorca: Reina (GK), Gamez, Valjent, Raillo, Sene, Sevilla, Lago, Kubo, Rodriguez, Budimir, Febas
Goalkeeper: M Reina Defenders: J Firpo, Lenglet, Pique Midfielders: F D Jong, Baba, Sevilla, D Vazquez Forwards: Suarez, Griezmann (VC), Messi (C)
Barcelona are favourites to win the game.