Mallorca vs. Barcelona: Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and More

Barcelona cannot afford to drop points in their next La Liga match against Mallorca since the defending champions are only six points behind rivals Real Madrid at the top of the league standings.

Since a 3-2 defeat to Osasuna on February 11, Barca have won six straight league matches.

Mallorca are 12th in the league table and could jump into the top 10 with a positive result against Barca.

With Barcelona star striker Lionel Messi dominating each opponent he faces of late, Mallorca must play very well defensively or they could be embarrassed by the Argentine.

Let's look at everything you need to know about this exciting Spanish football matchup.

Where: Estadio Son Moix, Palma, Spain

Watch: GolTV USA, Sky Sports HD4

Live Stream: Sky Sports

When: Saturday, March 24 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Most Important Player to Watch: Lionel Messi 

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi is the best player in the world and is on a run of good form that seems unstoppable right now.

Messi has 11 goals in his last four matches, which is absolutely insane.

The amazing part is that many fans aren't even impressed anymore because we expect this kind of amazing performance from him now, which a true sign of his greatness.

Against a Mallorca team with no world-class defenders, Messi could easily score two or more goals on Saturday in the Barcelona attack.

Messi has 34 goals in league play, one more than Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Key Matchup: Battle of the Midfield

If Mallorca cannot have some decent possession and create some quality scoring chances from the midfield then they won't have a chance to shock Barcelona.

Barca have so much quality in the midfield with Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Andrés Iniesta and Sergio Busquets.  

Mallorca must be physical in the middle of the pitch and pressure the Barca playmakers when the ball is at their feet.

What They're Saying

Messi recently broke the Barcelona club scoring record, and there was no shortage of praise from his teammates. 

Messi's manager, Pep Guardiola, compared Messi to Michael Jordan, saying via Soccernet:

"

"You have few players who dominate like this, but he does it. You can compare him perfectly to Jordan," Guardiola said. "We are witnessing the best in every sense."

"He does everything, and he does it every three days. I'm sorry for those that want to sit on his throne, but this lad is the best. Hopefully we can enjoy his football for many more years.''

"

Prediction: Barcelona win 3-0

A hat trick from Messi should be enough for Barcelona to defeat Mallorca and keep pace with Real Madrid in the La Liga title race.

Barcelona's defense must improve if they are to successfully defend their European title, but their back four shouldn't have much trouble against Mallorca.

Follow @NicholasGoss35