- Barcelona are in midweek La Liga action against Mallorca on Tuesday evening
- Barca are still without multiple players through injury
- Lamine Yamal poised to return to starting XI
Hansi Flick is in the midst of his first difficult moment while marauding the Barcelona dugout, with his side's dip in form seeing them relinquish control of the La Liga title race.
A 2-1 home defeat to Las Palmas on Saturday extended Barca's winless domestic run to three games. With Real Madrid claiming a 2-0 win over Getafe on Sunday, the champions are now just a point behind the once runaway league leaders with a game in hand.
Flick's team face a tough midweek assignment on Tuesday as they face a stern Mallorca team with European aspirations.
Barca, though, will be emboldened by the returns of multiple key attackers to Flick's starting XI. Here's how the Blaugrana could line up in Mallorca on Tuesday evening as they aim to return to winning ways.
Barcelona predicted lineup vs Mallorca (4-2-3-1)
GK: Inaki Pena - Flick won't be changing his goalkeeper despite Barca's recent slide. Wojciech Szczesny remains in reserve.
RB: Jules Kounde - Kounde has been excellent this calendar year, but the Frenchman has suffered a few lapses in recent outings. He could perhaps do with some respite, but Flick has few alternatives at right-back.
CB: Pau Cubarsi - The teenager has quickly established himself as a cornerstone of Barca's defence and won't be dropping out of the XI anytime soon.
CB: Inigo Martinez - The veteran centre-back shook off a muscle injury to feature on Saturday and is expected to retain his place alongside Cubarsi on Tuesday. Ronald Araujo is closing in on a return.
LB: Gerard Martin - Alejandro Balde is Barca's latest injury casualty and unlikely to play on Tuesday. Hector Fort was Xavi Hernandez's preferred alternative to Balde and Joao Cancelo last season, but Martin has usurped his fellow Fort in the left-back depth chart under Flick.
CM: Marc Casado - The emerging midfielder missed out on Saturday through suspension but is available again in midweek. Given his importance to Flick's side this term, Casado should immediately return to Barca's XI.
CM: Frenkie de Jong - Pedri could do with a breather, while Gavi's minutes have been cautiously managed since returning from a long-term knee injury. With that in mind, De Jong, who's come under scrutiny in recent weeks, could partner Casado in the Balearics.
RW: Lamine Yamal - Barca have a curious record when Yamal is absent from the starting XI and were trailing 1-0 when he entered the fray on Saturday. Don't fear, Culers, the 17-year-old sensation is a sure bet to be included in Flick's team against Mallorca.
AM: Dani Olmo - Olmo was an unused substitute at the weekend through injury, but Flick is hopeful the summer arrival will be fit to play on Tuesday. The Spaniard has been hugely influential when available.
LW: Raphinha - The Brazilian heads into this contest "angry" after Saturday's defeat. Nevertheless, Raphinha continued his excellent season with a goal in the 2-1 loss.
ST: Robert Lewandowski - Flick is bereft of suitable alternatives up top, so Lewandowski will be forced to play a lot of football this term. He's so far been brilliant in 2024/25 and sits comfortably atop the La Liga scoring charts with 15 goals.
