Yamal returns to the XI to lift Barca up

While most clubs in Spain are resting and awaiting the upcoming weekend and the new La Liga challenges, Barcelona have to play a mid-week game. Their Spanish Super Cup duel against Athletic Bilbao, scheduled for the beginning of January, coincides with the 19th La Liga round matches. Hence, Barca and the Basque crew, as well as their 19th-round rivals, Mallorca and Real Madrid, have to play their clashes a month earlier - today and tomorrow.

The Catalans are winless in the last three domestic league games, allowing Los Blancos to reduce the gap to only one point. The path for getting out of the crisis goes through the Balearic Islands, precisely Mallorca.

Arrasate Jagoba's team currently sits in an excellent sixth spot, unexpectedly fighting for the Champions League. Moreover, Mallorca are on a two-game winning run after beating Las Palmas and Valencia. The same Las Palmas which stunned Barca and "stole" three points from Camp Nou three days ago.

Is 'HansiBall' seen through?

A massive boost for Hansi Flick's squad will be the return of Lamine Yamal, who'll take his place in the XI for the first time after a month and a Champions League clash against Red Star in Belgrade. After skipping the duel against Las Palmas due to suspension, Marc Casado also returns, as does Alejandro Balde, whose injury from three days ago was not that severe.

Considering that Flick finally has the strongest lineup at his disposal, Barca's chances of breaking the negative run are significantly higher. Still, three consecutive losses must have left some players with some doubt, and that could be an ace up Mallorca's sleeve.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 19

Tuesday

21:00: (6.00) Mallorca (4.40) Barcelona (1.58)

Wednesday

23:00: (3.30) Ath.Bilbao (3.50) Real Madrid (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***