Watch: Mallorca vs Barcelona, Match Preview

Barcelona are back in action and to kickstart 2022, take on Mallorca away from home in La Liga. However, Xavi’s side come into this fixture with 16 players missing, due to injuries, suspensions as well as a large Covid-19 outbreak at the club. Mallorca will also be without several players due to Covid-19 infections, yet La Liga has demanded that the game go ahead.

Both managers are unlikely to be over the moon with the decision to play this fixture, although especially Xavi will be dangerously concerned about the state of his team, who are in need of three points and simply must start winning these sorts of fixtures in 2022.

The Barça coach only has seven first-team outfield players available to pick from, with youngster Ilias Akhomach set for his second start of the season, as well as rare starts for Riqui Puig and Luuk de Jong. The Barça bench is set to be occupied almost entirely be players from Barça B.