Real Madrid Vs Las Palmas

Reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid are gearing up to secure their 14th La Liga victory of the season as they prepare to host Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday afternoon. With the title race heating up, Los Blancos currently sit second in the La Liga standings, trailing leaders Atlético Madrid by a single point. Meanwhile, Las Palmas find themselves in 14th position, having accumulated 22 points from their first 19 matches of the campaign.

Real Madrid's recent form has been a mixed bag, with the team navigating a packed schedule since their last league outing. Their most recent La Liga fixture was a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Valencia at the start of 2025. Despite being reduced to 10 men and trailing 1-0 late in the game at Mestalla, Carlo Ancelotti's side displayed remarkable resilience to turn the match around and claim a crucial three points.

Since that encounter, Real Madrid have taken to the field four more times across different competitions. In the Copa del Rey, they secured victories over Deportiva Minera and Celta Vigo, earning a place in the tournament’s quarter-finals. However, their campaign in the Spanish Super Cup ended in disappointment, as they suffered a humbling 5-2 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the final last weekend.

The league table paints a challenging picture for Real Madrid. They currently hold second place, five points clear of third-placed Barcelona, but remain one point behind Atlético Madrid, who have been in scintillating form under Diego Simeone. Depending on results elsewhere, Atlético could extend their lead to four points before Real Madrid even kick off against Las Palmas, adding further pressure to Los Blancos’ pursuit of back-to-back league titles.

In addition to their domestic concerns, Real Madrid have work to do in Europe. The club is currently 20th in the overall Champions League league-phase standings, with crucial fixtures against Red Bull Salzburg and Brest still to come. Balancing these commitments while maintaining their push for the La Liga title will test the squad’s depth and resolve.

At the Bernabéu, Real Madrid have been formidable this season. They boast the second-best home record in La Liga, winning eight of their nine league matches and losing just once. Their dominance on home soil is further underscored by their historical record against Las Palmas; the visitors have never beaten Real Madrid in Madrid. This daunting statistic adds an extra layer of difficulty for Las Palmas as they aim to achieve a memorable result on Sunday.

Las Palmas, on the other hand, have experienced a season of two halves. After a difficult start to the 2024-25 campaign, the appointment of Diego Martínez as head coach in October has brought renewed hope and improved performances. Under Martínez’s guidance, Las Palmas have recorded eight wins, one draw, and four losses in 13 matches, demonstrating a significant upturn in form.

Currently sitting 14th in the La Liga table, Las Palmas’ record includes six wins, four draws, and nine defeats. Their tally of 22 points places them six points clear of the relegation zone, providing a degree of breathing room as they aim to secure their top-flight status. Notably, Las Palmas have proven themselves capable of competing away from home, avoiding defeat in four of their nine away league matches this season and securing three victories in the process.

The reverse fixture between these two sides in August ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that Las Palmas will hope to replicate or improve upon this weekend. Additionally, the visitors can draw confidence from their recent history at the Bernabéu. In March 2017, they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in the Spanish capital. However, Las Palmas’ start to 2025 has been less than ideal, with back-to-back defeats dampening their momentum. A 4-0 loss to Elche in the Copa del Rey on January 5 was followed by a 2-1 home defeat to Getafe in the league last weekend.

With their Copa del Rey journey now over, Las Palmas can focus exclusively on their league campaign. Despite their position in the lower half of the table, they have been relatively prolific in front of goal this season, scoring 24 times in 19 matches. This tally is higher than that of several established La Liga sides, including Osasuna, Real Betis, Sevilla, Valencia, and Real Sociedad. If they can continue to find the back of the net, they stand a chance of troubling Real Madrid’s defense on Sunday.

As both teams prepare for this crucial encounter, the stakes are high for very different reasons. Real Madrid will be determined to keep pace with Atlético Madrid in the title race, while Las Palmas will view this match as an opportunity to make a statement and inch further away from the relegation zone. The stage is set for an intriguing clash at the Santiago Bernabéu, with fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.