Mallorca’s remarkable start to the season has left them on the cusp of a major European competition for the first time in over 20 years. The Pirates have won seven times in 15 La Liga outings, with a 2-1 come-from-behind success against Valencia on Friday night keeping them in touch with the UEFA Champions League qualification spots.

Jagoba Arrasate’s side has already accumulated 24 points, doing so in 11 games fewer than it took the class of 2023/24, when they were embroiled in a relegation battle. The team’s impressive form has earned praise from supporters, who are singing the praises of their manager. Arrasate admits he “couldn’t be happier with the direction of travel in which his team are travelling” after taking the reins in the summer.

However, Mallorca’s next task is a tough one, as a wounded Barcelona makes the trip from the Spanish mainland. Barcelona is looking to bounce back from a shock 2-1 defeat to Las Palmas on Saturday, which led to a “very disappointed” Hansi Flick admitting that his team needs to “reconnect.” The defeat extended Barcelona’s worrying slump to three top-flight matches without success.

Despite their recent struggles, Barcelona’s history suggests they will return to form in this match, as they are unbeaten in the last 16 H2Hs against Mallorca (W14, D2). The match promises to be an exciting encounter, with Mallorca’s Abdón Prats looking to continue his goal-scoring form. Prats’ last four club goals have alternated between first-half penalties and second-half headers, and he will be looking to net again against Barcelona.

The match against Barcelona will be a major test for Mallorca, but if they can secure a positive result, their European dreams will be one step closer to reality. With six of Mallorca’s last eight games featuring more goals in the second half than the first, the match promises to be an exciting and unpredictable encounter.