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Leaders, Barcelona make the short hop across the Mediterranean
to take on Balearic Islands’ club Real Mallorca on Saturday with the spine of
their team sidelined by injury.

Goalkeeper Victor Valdes, captain and central defender Carles
Puyol and playmaker Xavi are all unavailable for the match against one of only
three teams to take points off them this season.

Xavi, who picked up a minor muscle tear in last weekend’s 2-1
win at home to Athletic Bilbao, played down the situation, saying they were
unlikely to hurt the club’s bid for a third successive Spanish league title.

“These are minor injuries, not lengthy ones,” he told a news
conference on Wednesday, adding that he expects to return for the match at
Valencia on March 2.

“The injuries are coincidental, caused by stress and too many
games — it’s normal, just like in any other team.” Mallorca’s coach, Michael
Laudrup, a former Danish international who played for both Barca and Real
Madrid, masterminded a 1-1 draw at the Nou Camp in early October. Barca’s 2-1
win against Valencia in their next match was the start of a record 16-match
winning streak.

As well as the injured trio, Barca will also be without one of
their main creative outlets on Saturday.

Right back Daniel Alves, who has an incredible 14 assists this
season in all competitions, is suspended.

Incredible trio

However, their prolific attacking trio of World Player of the
Year, Lionel Messi and Spain pair David Villa and Pedro, who have 77 goals
between them in all competitions, is intact.

Real have also been affected by injury ahead of their match at
Deportivo Coruna in Saturday’s late kickoff.

The club said on Tuesday midfielder Sami Khedira would be out
for two to three weeks after damaging a thigh muscle in Tuesday’s 1-1 Champions
League draw at Olympique Lyon.

Former Lyon striker, Karim Benzema came off the bench to score
Real’s goal as he continues his bid for a regular starting place under coach
Jose Mourinho.

“He’s going in the right direction,” Mourinho was quoted as
saying in Spanish media on Wednesday.

“The whole world knows his potential but his game needs to
improve,” the Portuguese added.

“He has taken that on board, he’s working very hard and he has
already improved.” Valencia, 12 points behind Real in third, play at
fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Villarreal, who dropped below Valencia into fourth after a run of two
defeats and a draw, are at Racing Santander, also on Sunday.