Las Palmas vs Alaves

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As the curtain falls on another exhilarating La Liga season, Las Palmas and Alaves are set to clash at the Estadio Gran Canaria on Sunday. Both teams will look to end their campaigns on a winning note, each for their own reasons. Las Palmas, after a season-long struggle against relegation, aim to finish on a positive note. Meanwhile, Alaves, having outperformed fellow promoted sides Granada and Las Palmas, seek to cement their place in the top half of the table.

Match Preview

The season has been a tumultuous one for Las Palmas. The team, under the stewardship of Garcia Pimienta, has flirted with relegation for much of the campaign. However, as they head into gameweek 38, the pressure is finally off. Las Palmas are six points clear of 18th-placed Cadiz, ensuring their survival in La Liga for another season. This feat is a testament to their resilience, especially given their prolonged struggles and lack of firepower up front.

Las Palmas’ Struggles:

Las Palmas' last victory in La Liga came in February, a 2-0 win against Valencia at home. Since then, the team has endured a tough spell, losing nine of their last 13 league matches and drawing the remaining four. Their inability to score has been a significant issue, with nine of these 13 matches ending without a goal for Los Amarillos. This lack of goals has been a persistent problem, with only Rayo Vallecano (29) and Cadiz (25) scoring fewer than Las Palmas' 32 goals this season. Furthermore, only Granada (24) and Almeria (23) have suffered more defeats than Las Palmas' 18, highlighting the challenges faced by Garcia Pimienta’s side.

Despite these struggles, Pimienta has managed to keep his position, leading the team through a challenging return to Spain's top flight. This season has been a learning curve, and Las Palmas will look to use their experiences to build a stronger squad for the next campaign.

Alaves’ Success:

In contrast, Alaves have enjoyed a relatively successful season. Promoted via the playoffs, Luis Garcia Plaza’s men have significantly outperformed their fellow promotees. Alaves currently sit comfortably in mid-table and have their sights set on a top-10 finish. If they manage to secure a victory against Las Palmas, they can end the season in the top half for the first time since the 2016-17 season, when Mauricio Pellegrino guided them to ninth place.

Alaves’ aim is clear: win on Sunday and retain their position in the top 10, regardless of the results of Osasuna and Getafe, who play Villarreal and Mallorca respectively. Interestingly, Alaves hold a superior head-to-head record against ninth-placed Valencia, having defeated them 1-0 in both meetings this season. This means that if Alaves win and Valencia lose to Celta Vigo, Alaves could even match their 2016-17 exploits.

Key Players to Watch

For Las Palmas, much of the focus will be on their defense and midfield to maintain solidity and perhaps snatch a crucial goal. Players like Jonathan Viera and Alberto Moleiro will be pivotal in orchestrating play and trying to breach Alaves' defense.

Alaves, on the other hand, will look to their key performers who have been instrumental in their mid-table success. The likes of Luis Rioja and Joselu have been significant contributors this season. Joselu, in particular, has been a reliable source of goals and will be the one to watch in this concluding fixture.

Tactical Battle

Garcia Pimienta’s strategy for Las Palmas is likely to focus on maintaining defensive solidity while seeking opportunities on the counter. Given their scoring woes, Las Palmas will aim to be compact at the back and look to exploit any lapses in Alaves' defense. A disciplined performance could see them snatch a result, much like their goalless draw against Cadiz last time out.

Luis Garcia Plaza’s Alaves are expected to take a more proactive approach. With the incentive of a top-half finish, Alaves will likely adopt an attacking mindset. Their strategy will revolve around dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities, hoping to capitalize on Las Palmas’ defensive vulnerabilities.

The Stakes

For Las Palmas, this match is about pride and ending the season positively. Surviving relegation has been an achievement in itself, but finishing the season with a win would provide a morale boost and a foundation to build upon for next season.

Alaves, on the other hand, are playing for more tangible rewards. A victory secures a top-10 finish, a remarkable achievement for a newly promoted side. This would not only be a testament to their quality and consistency but also a significant milestone in the club’s recent history.

Conclusion

As the La Liga season reaches its climax, the match between Las Palmas and Alaves promises to be an intriguing encounter. Both teams have their own motivations and objectives, which should make for a competitive and entertaining game. Las Palmas will seek to sign off with a victory in front of their home fans, while Alaves aim to cap off a successful campaign with a top-10 finish. Regardless of the result, both teams can look back on a season of valuable lessons and achievements. For the fans, it’s one last opportunity to cheer on their teams and hope for a memorable conclusion to the season.