Barcelona will move up to second in La Liga with a victory over Mallorca on Friday night.
Many questioned how Barca would respond to the news of Xavi's exit at the end of the season, with the Catalans enjoying an unbeaten run in the wake of the announcement. The performances, outside of the 4-0 thrashing of Getafe, haven't been particularly convincing, but they can't be ruled out of title contention yet.
Barcelona are eight points adrift of leaders Real Madrid with the pair set to face off in the capital next month.
Xavi's side must continue to win if they're to stay in the hunt, however, and they've got a tricky contest upcoming against a rigid Mallorca outfit that are safe from relegation and recently progressed into the Copa del Rey final. Having worked wonders at Osasuna at the start of the century, Javier Aguirre is weaving his wand once more in Mallorca.
Here's preview of Barca's Friday night La Liga fixture.
Barcelona
Mallorca
Athletic Club 0-0 Barcelona — 03/03/24
Mallorca 1-0 Girona — 03/03/24
Barcelona 4-0 Getafe — 24/02/24
Real Sociedad 1-1 (4-5p) Mallorca — 27/02/24
Napoli 1-1 Barcelona — 21/02/24
Deportivo Alaves 1-1 Mallorca — 24/02/24
Celta Vigo 1-2 Barcelona — 17/02/24
Mallorca 1-2 Real Sociedad — 18/02/24
Barcelona 3-3 Granada — 11/02/24
Mallorca 2-1 Rayo Vallecano — 11/02/24
Country
TV channel/live stream
United Kingdom
Viaplay UK, LaLigaTV, Viaplay Sports 1
United States
ESPN+, ESPN Deportes
Canada
TSN+
Ronald Araujo picked up his fifth La Liga yellow card of the season at Athletic Club last weekend and is suspended for Friday's game. Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi should start at centre-back.
Pedri and Frenkie de Jong picked up long-term injuries at San Mames, with the pair joining an already lengthy injury list. Gavi,
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