Barcelona start their 2025/26 La Liga this Saturday on the road against Mallorca at Son Moix Stadium in round one. The Spanish champions are beginning to defend the title under off-pitch pressure, including registration issues of new signings, and existential questions in the squad. Mallorca, though, would aim to take advantage of the maximum advantages of home support in a bid to prove that their desire to be on European competition platforms is not a claim.
Mallorca aiming to catch out early
It finished 10th last term, a respectable position but one which had fans wondering if they could not have done better. The goal for 2025/26 is to push higher up the league and into the continental competitions.
Coach Jagoba Arrasate has a lively squad but can’t play Samu Costa as he’s injured. To compound matters, he can’t be guaranteed to include Daniel Luna, Greif, Larin, and Maffeo as they’re in transfer negotiations in other clubs.
Most likely Mallorca starting line-up: Leo Román; Morey, Raíllo, Valjent, Mojica; Morlanes, Mascarell, Darder; Asano, Muriqi, Pablo Torre.
Home strength of Mallorca is one to watch, especially against a team entering with some question marks around them.
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Barcelona summer has also been spoiled by financial uncertainty that heavily impacted planning. New signings like Marcus Rashford, signed on loan from Manchester United, do not yet know whether they can be allowed to play due to registration issues.
Absent from Barça at the club's medical department of the Barça Femení were Dani Rodríguez and Ter Stegen, and Lewandowski still recovering and uncertain, together with Rashford. The team trained in scorching heat at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, where there were some youth players of Barça Atlètic summoned to bolster the numbers.
Likely Barcelona starting eleven: Joan García; Koundé, Araújo, Cubarsí, Balde; De Jong, Pedri, Fermín López; Lamine Yamal
With coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona arrive in spite of pressure to show off-court disruption would not reverse on-court performance.
Score forecasting
In spite of the absentees, favourites are still Barcelona. Mallorca should try to provide the opposition, but Catalan club's technical superiority should overwhelm them.
Prediction: Mallorca 1-3 Barcelona.
Where to stream?
- Canada – Vancouver: 10:30 a.m. | Montreal: 1:30 p.m. – TSN (English), RDS (French)
- United States – East Coast (EDT): 1:30 p.m. | West Coast (PDT): 10:30 a.m. – ESPN / ESPN Deportes
- United Kingdom and Ireland – 6:30 p.m. – Premier Sports
- Spain – 7:30 p.m. – Movistar LaLiga