Las Palmas Vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid will be aiming to secure back-to-back victories when they face Las Palmas in Thursday’s La Liga encounter in Gran Canaria. The reigning La Liga champions enter this match on the heels of a dominant victory over Real Valladolid on matchday two, while Las Palmas are looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat against Leganes.

Match Preview

Real Madrid's summer was marked by significant changes to their squad, most notably the retirement of midfield maestro Toni Kroos, who hung up his boots after a distinguished career. However, the departure of Kroos was swiftly counterbalanced by the high-profile signings of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick, both of whom have injected fresh energy and expectation into the team.

Mbappe, who made headlines across the globe with his move to Madrid, began his career in the iconic white shirt with a goal in the UEFA Super Cup triumph over Atalanta BC. However, despite his strong start in European competition, Mbappe has yet to open his account in La Liga, going goalless in his first two league outings. This has led to increased scrutiny, with fans and pundits alike eager to see the French superstar replicate his prolific form in domestic competitions.

Los Blancos kicked off their La Liga campaign with a frustrating 1-1 draw away to Mallorca. In that match, Real Madrid dominated possession and created numerous chances but lacked the clinical edge needed to secure all three points. However, they quickly bounced back with a commanding 3-0 victory at home against newly-promoted Real Valladolid in their next fixture.

In the Valladolid game, it was Federico Valverde and Brahim Diaz who provided the early spark, each finding the back of the net to give Madrid a comfortable lead. The highlight of the match, however, came when 18-year-old Endrick, making his La Liga debut, scored the third goal after coming off the bench. This goal not only secured the victory but also etched Endrick’s name in the history books as the youngest Real Madrid player to score on his La Liga debut in the 21st century. His impressive performance has already begun to draw comparisons to other young talents who have risen to prominence at Madrid, and there is significant excitement about his potential impact this season.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side now find themselves on a remarkable unbeaten streak in La Liga, having avoided defeat in 34 consecutive matches since a 3-1 loss to city rivals Atletico Madrid in September 2023. This run has solidified their reputation as one of the most formidable teams in Spain, and they will be looking to extend this streak when they travel to Gran Canaria.

Real Madrid’s visit to Las Palmas presents an opportunity to secure their first away victory of the season, and the odds are in their favor. Historically, Madrid has had the upper hand in this fixture, winning their last four encounters with Las Palmas. This includes a hard-fought 2-1 victory in their most recent visit in January, a game that saw Madrid’s resilience tested but ultimately rewarded with three points.

However, Las Palmas are no pushovers and will be determined to make life difficult for their illustrious visitors. Under new management this season, Las Palmas have undergone their own period of transition. Garcia Pimienta, who had been at the helm for two and a half years, departed to take charge at Sevilla. In his place, Luis Carrion was appointed, following his near-successful campaign with Real Oviedo, where he narrowly missed out on promotion to La Liga after losing in the Segunda Division playoff final to Espanyol.

Carrion, now given the opportunity to showcase his managerial talents in Spain's top tier, has faced a challenging start to life as a La Liga manager. Las Palmas have managed just one point from their first two matches, a return that falls short of the expectations set by the club and its supporters. Their league opener saw them involved in a thrilling 2-2 draw at home, a game in which they showed flashes of their potential but also highlighted areas of concern, particularly in defense. This was followed by a 2-1 defeat in their away clash with Leganes, a result that extended their winless run in La Liga to 16 matches, a streak that dates back to February.

For Carrion and his players, the task of ending this winless run against the reigning European champions is daunting. Las Palmas have historically struggled against Madrid, with their last positive result being a dramatic 3-3 draw in March 2017. Since then, they have found themselves on the losing side in subsequent meetings, often outclassed by Madrid’s superior quality and depth.

In preparation for Thursday’s match, Carrion has likely been focusing on shoring up his team’s defensive organization and looking for ways to exploit any potential weaknesses in Madrid’s setup. Las Palmas will need to be disciplined and resilient, particularly in the face of Madrid’s potent attack, which, even without Mbappe firing on all cylinders, remains one of the most dangerous in the league.

On the other hand, Real Madrid will approach this match with confidence but also a sense of caution. While they are expected to dominate possession and create the majority of the chances, Ancelotti will be mindful of the need to remain solid at the back. The Gran Canaria stadium can be a challenging venue, with the passionate home crowd providing an added layer of difficulty for visiting teams. However, with the likes of Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo in their ranks, Madrid have the firepower to break down even the most stubborn defenses.

Moreover, Madrid’s midfield, now without the experience of Kroos but bolstered by the energy and creativity of players like Valverde, Diaz, and Jude Bellingham, will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game. Ancelotti may also opt to rotate his squad slightly, given the demanding schedule ahead, but he will likely field a strong lineup to ensure they come away with maximum points.

For Las Palmas, the key to any success will lie in their ability to remain compact and disciplined, avoiding the kind of defensive lapses that have cost them dearly in the past. They will also need to capitalize on any set-pieces or counter-attacking opportunities that come their way, with Oli McBurnie likely being a focal point in their attack. McBurnie, who has shown glimpses of his ability to trouble defenses, will need to be at his best if Las Palmas are to pose any serious threat to Madrid’s backline.

As the match approaches, anticipation is building among fans and analysts alike, with many expecting Madrid to continue their strong start to the season. However, in football, especially in a league as competitive as La Liga, nothing can be taken for granted. Las Palmas, despite their struggles, will see this match as a chance to make a statement and begin to turn their season around.

In conclusion, Thursday’s La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Las Palmas promises to be an intriguing contest. While Madrid are clear favorites, Las Palmas will be eager to defy the odds and secure a memorable result against the reigning champions. The match will not only be a test of Madrid’s title credentials but also an opportunity for Las Palmas to show they can compete at this level under their new manager. Whether it ends in another victory for Madrid or an unexpected upset, this encounter is set to provide plenty of drama and excitement for fans of both clubs.