Get ready for the start of the 2025-26 La Liga season! Watch live and read our in-depth preview of the match between Mallorca and Barcelona, including team news, key players to watch, and our expert predictions.
The wait is finally over for football fans around the world as the 2025-26 La Liga season kicks off. Defending champions Barcelona will begin their title defence with a challenging away fixture against Mallorca at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix.
After an impressive pre-season, Hansi Flick’s side is eager to start strong, but they will face a determined Mallorca team looking to cause an early upset. This article provides a comprehensive preview of the match, covering the latest team news, key players, and our final prediction.
Match Information: Mallorca vs. Barcelona
| Detail | Information |
| Match | Mallorca vs. FC Barcelona |
| Competition | La Liga, Matchday 1 |
| Date | Saturday, August 16, 2025 |
| Kick-off Time | 17:30 UTC / 7:30 PM CEST |
| Venue | Estadi Mallorca Son Moix, Mallorca, Spain |
| Referee | José Luis Munuera Montero |
| Barcelona Key Absence | Robert Lewandowski (hamstring injury) |
| Barcelona Key Player to Watch | Marcus Rashford (expected to make competitive debut) |
| Mallorca Key Absence | Samu Costa (injury) |
| Mallorca Key Player to Watch | Vedat Muriqi (top scorer last season) |
| Predicted Score | Barcelona to win (common prediction) |
| Broadcasters | ESPN2 (USA), FanCode (India) |
The Context: A Fresh Start for Both Teams
This match is more than just a season opener; it’s a test of ambitions for both sides. Barcelona, coming off a successful season where they secured the league title, are looking to build on their momentum and prove they are still the team to beat.
Their pre-season form has been nothing short of spectacular, with the team scoring a plethora of goals in their friendly matches. However, they will be playing without star striker Robert Lewandowski, who is ruled out with a hamstring injury.
For Mallorca, the match is a chance to start the new campaign on a high note. They had a solid mid-table finish last season and will be hoping to turn their home ground into a fortress.
While their historical record against Barcelona is not in their favour, they have shown resilience in recent meetings and will be looking to capitalise on any early-season jitters from the champions.
Team News and Key Players
Barcelona will be without their prolific goalscorer, Robert Lewandowski. This opens the door for other players to step up, with Ferran Torres and new loan signing Marcus Rashford being the likely candidates to lead the attack.
All eyes will be on Rashford, who could make his competitive debut for the club. The midfield will be anchored by the dynamic duo of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, while the defensive line, led by Ronald Araújo, will be tasked with keeping a clean sheet.
Mallorca will be missing key players as well, with midfielder Samu Costa out due to injury and Omar Mascarell suspended. Their hopes will rest on the shoulders of their star striker, Vedat Muriqi, who was their top scorer last season. The team will likely adopt a defensive strategy, aiming to frustrate Barcelona’s attack and hit them on the counter.
Head-to-Head and Predictions
Historically, this has been a one-sided fixture. Barcelona has a dominant record against Mallorca, having won 14 of their last 15 meetings in La Liga. The last time these two teams met at Mallorca’s home stadium, Barcelona secured a resounding 5-1 victory.
While Mallorca will fight hard, Barcelona’s superior squad depth and quality are expected to be the deciding factors. Even without Lewandowski, their attack is potent, and their midfield is one of the best in the league. The key will be how quickly the team can gel in their first competitive match of the season.
Our Prediction: Barcelona to win 3-0.



