Las Palmas Vs Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao is set to pursue their second La Liga victory of the season as they head to Gran Canaria for a Sunday showdown with Las Palmas. The match presents a crucial opportunity for Athletic Bilbao to solidify their standing and build momentum in the early stages of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign. Conversely, Las Palmas manager Luis Carrion is still in search of his first win after a challenging start that has seen his team secure just two points from their opening four games.

Match Preview

Las Palmas, managed by Luis Carrion, has faced a challenging beginning to the 2024-25 season, with the team struggling to find their rhythm. Despite a promising start, which included a draw against Real Madrid, the squad has been unable to capitalize on their potential. The campaign began with a 2-2 draw against Sevilla, a team previously led by Carrion's predecessor, Garcia Pimienta. The draw was followed by a disappointing 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Leganes, which set a concerning tone for the season.

In their third match, Las Palmas managed to secure a valuable point against Real Madrid, drawing 1-1. However, this positive result was short-lived as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat against Alaves in their last outing before the international break. The inability to secure a win has been a persistent issue, extending their winless streak to 18 league matches, dating back to a 2-0 victory over Valencia in February 2024.

Las Palmas' struggles this season are a continuation of their difficult finish to the 2023-24 campaign. The team's poor form is evident from their recent performances, and they will be eager to turn their fortunes around. Heading into Sunday's fixture, their primary goal will be to secure their first win of the season and break their lengthy run without a league victory.

Historically, Las Palmas has been relatively solid at home, losing only one of their last eight competitive home matches. However, this defeat occurred during last season's home fixture against the same opponent, Athletic Bilbao. This historical context adds an extra layer of significance to their upcoming match as they look to avenge that loss and reverse their current form.

Athletic Bilbao’s Season So Far

On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao, under the guidance of Ernesto Valverde, is aiming to replicate their success from the previous season. After winning the Copa del Rey and securing a fifth-place finish in La Liga, Athletic Bilbao is keen to continue their strong performances. The 2024-25 season also marks their return to the Europa League main draw, adding another layer of excitement and expectation to their campaign.

Despite their ambitions, Athletic Bilbao has had a mixed start to the new season. Their opening four matches have yielded one win, one draw, and two losses. The season began with a 1-1 draw against Getafe, followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat to Barcelona. The team managed to secure their first win with a 1-0 victory over Valencia, thanks to a first-half goal from Benat Prados.

However, Athletic Bilbao's recent form has been less than ideal. They were unable to build on their win against Valencia, suffering a defeat at home to Atletico Madrid. The match, played at San Mames, saw Athletic concede a goal in the second minute of stoppage time, resulting in their first home league loss since August 2023. The team has struggled to score more than once in any of their matches so far, which has been a point of concern for Valverde.

Previous Encounters

Historically, Athletic Bilbao has had the upper hand in their recent encounters with Las Palmas. Last season, Athletic Bilbao managed to secure two victories over Las Palmas. In their home fixture in December 2023, Athletic Bilbao recorded a 1-0 win. The away fixture in March 2024 saw them achieve a 2-0 victory, with Gorka Guruzeta scoring one of the goals and the other being an own goal by a Las Palmas player.

These victories have established Athletic Bilbao as a challenging opponent for Las Palmas, and the upcoming match will be an opportunity for the latter to address their poor start to the season and improve their overall performance.

Key Players and Tactical Insights

For Athletic Bilbao, the focus will be on enhancing their attacking prowess. Despite their solid defensive record, the inability to score more than once in a game has been a notable issue. Benat Prados, who scored the decisive goal against Valencia, will be a key player for Athletic, and his form will be crucial in breaking down Las Palmas' defense.

Las Palmas, on the other hand, will need to find a way to overcome their defensive frailties and convert their chances into goals. Alberto Moleiro, one of their standout players, will be essential in creating opportunities and providing the team with the attacking impetus they need to secure a win.

Conclusion

As Athletic Bilbao travels to Gran Canaria to face Las Palmas, both teams are approaching the match with different aspirations. Athletic Bilbao aims to build on their previous successes and secure a second league win, while Las Palmas is desperate for a victory to turn their season around and end their long winless streak.

The outcome of this fixture could have significant implications for both teams' seasons. For Athletic Bilbao, it represents an opportunity to consolidate their position and build momentum for the rest of the campaign. For Las Palmas, it is a chance to address their current struggles and gain a much-needed boost in their fight for survival in La Liga.

As the teams prepare for the clash, all eyes will be on Gran Canaria for what promises to be an exciting and pivotal encounter in the 2024-25 La Liga season.