La Liga / Dan Fitch / 16 May 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Barcelona may already be champions by the time that they take the field against Mallorca, but Dan Fitch thinks that their hunger for goals will keep Barca motivated. Best Bet: Barcelona to win at [1.66].

If Real Madrid fail to beat Villarreal on Saturday, Barcelona will begin their match against Mallorca on Sunday, as league champions. Even if Madrid do get the win they need to prolong things, it is likely that Barcelona will still finish their match as champions.

Having beaten Athletic Bilbao 4-1 to win the Copa del Rey in midweek, Barca look likely to add the La Liga title to their season's haul. There is also the little matter of wiping a certain record held by Real Madrid from the record books.

Madrid scored 107 goals in 38 games back in 1989/90 to become the highest scorers in league history. Barcelona have thus far scored 103, with 3 games remaining.

The desire to break this record and go down in history, should at least ensure that Barcelona keep focus on their remaining league games, before the Champions League final against Manchester United.

Not that focus has been a problem this season, under the stewardship of Pep Guardiola. Only yesterday it was reported that Guardiola had fined half a dozen first team players, for turning up a minute late for training.

That this number included Messi and Xavi, only goes to show what a tight ship is currently being run by Guardiola. It is now the business end of the season and his team are taking a businesslike attitude to results, having now gone 17 games without defeat.

Their opponents' are also in relatively good form. Mid-table Mallorca were unbeaten in 5 games, until they lost 3-1 away at Sevilla last weekend.

With neither relegation or European qualification to worry about, Mallorca don't have much to play for, which is just as well with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Villarreal still to come.

Mallorca held Barca to a 1-1 draw at home in the Copa del Rey earlier this season, but La Blaugrana have won 8 of the last 10 encounters between the sides. Of their last 6 games in the league, 4 have broken the 2.5 goals market. Over 2.5 can be backed at [1.62], with under 2.5 at [2.6]. Over 3.5 is [2.46].

When the goalscorer markets open on Betfair closer to kick off, expect Eto'o to be [5.5] to score first and [2.2] anytime, with Messi [6] and [2.5]. For Mallorca, Aritz Aduriz will be around [10] and [4].

Mallorca are [6.4], with the draw [4] and Barcelona [1.66]. I think Barca will celebrate winning the title in style, with a comprehensive victory. 2-0 to Barca is [10.5], with 3-1 at [12.5].

Barcelona are [2.5] to win half time/full time, with the draw/Barcelona at [5.2]. Mallorca are [8.4] to keep a clean sheet, with Barca [2.88] to not concede.