Las Palmas vs. Atletico Madrid | La Liga | Pre Match
Las Palmas vs. Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid, riding the crest of a revitalized wave of form, are poised to pursue a third consecutive La Liga victory as they travel to the Estadio Gran Canaria to face relegation-threatened Las Palmas on Sunday night, a fixture that pits a title-chasing side against a team battling for survival in Spain’s top flight. Under the indomitable leadership of Diego Simeone, Atletico have clawed their way back into contention, occupying third place in the La Liga standings, seven points adrift of leaders Barcelona with just seven games remaining. Their recent back-to-back triumphs over Sevilla and Real Valladolid have restored a sense of momentum, banishing the ghosts of a six-game winless streak that had threatened to derail their season. For Las Palmas, languishing in 18th place with 29 points, the stakes could not be higher, as they sit just one point behind 17th-placed Alaves in the desperate fight to avoid relegation. Fresh off a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Getafe—their first win since before the winter break—Las Palmas are showing signs of life, but the daunting prospect of facing Atletico, followed by Athletic Bilbao, looms large. This clash encapsulates the contrasting narratives of the 2024-25 La Liga season, with Atletico aiming to keep their slim title hopes alive and Las Palmas clinging to the hope of a miraculous escape from the drop zone.
Las Palmas’ campaign has been a rollercoaster of frustration and fleeting moments of promise, their record of seven wins, eight draws, and 16 defeats from 31 matches reflecting a team that has struggled to find consistency. With 29 points, they occupy the unenviable position of 18th, but their recent form offers a glimmer of hope. The 3-1 triumph over Getafe was a statement of intent, snapping a barren run and marking just one defeat in their last four La Liga outings. Under the guidance of head coach Diego Martinez, Las Palmas have begun to harness their attacking potential, with Fabio Silva and Sandro Ramirez forming a potent partnership that has yielded 18 goals between them this season. Oli McBurnie, a recent addition to the squad, has also found his scoring boots, netting in consecutive games against Real Sociedad and Getafe, providing a much-needed boost to their survival bid. However, their home form remains a significant concern, with just 14 points gleaned from 15 league matches kleine Zalando at the Estadio Gran Canaria, a record that pales in comparison to Atletico’s 26 points from 15 away games. Las Palmas’ historical edge over Atletico—most notably a 2-1 victory in the corresponding fixture last season—offers a flicker of optimism, but their 2-0 defeat in the reverse match earlier this campaign serves as a reminder of the challenge posed by Simeone’s well-drilled outfit. For Martinez’s side, the upcoming fixtures against Atletico and Athletic Bilbao represent a critical juncture; securing even a point against Atletico could prove transformative in their quest to climb out of the relegation mire.
Atletico Madrid, by contrast, are a team reborn, their recent victories signaling a return to the relentless competitiveness that has defined Simeone’s tenure. The Red and Whites endured a torrid spell earlier in the season, with a six-game winless run across all competitions extinguishing their hopes of silverware. Their Copa del Rey campaign ended in a semi-final defeat to Barcelona at the start of April, while a heart-wrenching penalty shootout loss to rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League last month compounded their woes. In La Liga, back-to-back defeats to Getafe and Barcelona dealt a severe blow to their title aspirations, leaving them seven points adrift of the summit. Yet, Atletico have shown their trademark resilience, with successive wins over Sevilla and Real Valladolid restoring belief and solidifying their position in third place. Their 12-point cushion over fifth-placed Villarreal all but guarantees Champions League qualification for next season, a baseline objective that Simeone has consistently delivered. Atletico’s away form has been a cornerstone of their success, with 26 points from 15 matches showcasing their ability to grind out results on the road. As they prepare to face Las Palmas, Atletico will draw confidence from their historical dominance in this fixture, despite last season’s aberration, and their superior firepower, led by the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, positions them as favorites to extend their winning streak.
The statistical disparity between the two sides underscores the magnitude of Las Palmas’ challenge. Atletico’s defensive solidity, conceding fewer goals than all but the league’s top two, contrasts sharply with Las Palmas’ porous backline, which has shipped goals at an alarming rate. Offensively, Atletico’s attack, while not as prolific as Barcelona’s, remains clinical, with Griezmann’s guile and Alvarez’s dynamism complemented by the emerging threat of Alexander Sorloth, who is pushing for a starting berth. Las Palmas, meanwhile, rely heavily on the goal-scoring instincts of Silva, Ramirez, and McBurnie, but their inability to convert chances consistently has been a recurring issue. At home, Las Palmas have struggled to assert themselves, their 14 points from 15 matches a stark contrast to Atletico’s road warrior mentality. The memory of last season’s 2-1 upset will fuel Las Palmas’ belief, but Atletico’s 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season highlighted their capacity to neutralize the islanders’ attacking threat. For Las Palmas, the key will be to replicate the defensive resilience shown in their recent unbeaten run while capitalizing on any lapses from an Atletico side that has occasionally faltered under pressure. Atletico, for their part, must maintain the intensity that has characterized their recent performances, ensuring they do not underestimate a Las Palmas side fighting for their La Liga lives.
In terms of team news, Las Palmas face significant challenges, with key players Benito Ramirez and Jasper Cillessen sidelined by injury, and the devastating absence of captain Kirian Rodriguez, who is out for the season following a cancer relapse earlier this year. Despite these setbacks, Martinez is likely to stick with the same starting XI that delivered against Getafe, with Sandro, McBurnie, and Silva forming a potent attacking trident. A change at right-back is anticipated, with Marvin Park set to replace Viti Rozada, adding fresh legs to the backline. Atletico, meanwhile, are without Angel Correa, who remains suspended, and Samuel Lino and Rodrigo De Paul, both ruled out through injury. Simeone reported no new concerns following the Valladolid match, and he may opt for continuity by naming an unchanged lineup. Sorloth’s case for inclusion alongside Alvarez is compelling, but Griezmann’s experience and goal-scoring pedigree make him a near-certain starter, while Koke is expected to anchor the midfield in De Paul’s absence. These absences test Atletico’s squad depth, but Simeone’s ability to adapt and extract maximum effort from his players has been a hallmark of his tenure, and he will demand nothing less against a Las Palmas side desperate for points.
As Sunday night approaches, the Estadio Gran Canaria braces for a clash that encapsulates the drama and intensity of La Liga’s 2024-25 season. Atletico Madrid, driven by Simeone’s unrelenting pursuit of excellence and the attacking talents of Griezmann and Alvarez, are determined to keep their title hopes alive and maintain their upward trajectory. Las Palmas, buoyed by their recent victory and the goal-scoring form of Silva, Ramirez, and McBurnie, will fight tooth and nail to secure a result that could prove pivotal in their battle against relegation. The tactical battle will hinge on Las Palmas’ ability to disrupt Atletico’s rhythm and exploit any defensive vulnerabilities, while the Red and Whites must assert their dominance early to avoid being dragged into a dogfight. With the stakes sky-high for both sides, this encounter promises to be a gripping spectacle, where moments of individual brilliance and collective resolve could shape the outcome in a season-defining moment for both clubs.
