Real Madrid vs Las Palmas | La Liga | Pre Match

The reigning Spanish champions, Real Madrid, are gearing up to secure their 14th La Liga victory of the season as they host Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon. With a tightly contested title race underway, Los Blancos will aim to capitalize on their home advantage and maintain pressure on league leaders Atletico Madrid.

Currently sitting second in the La Liga table, Carlo Ancelotti’s side trails Atletico by a single point. Meanwhile, Las Palmas occupy 14th position with 22 points from their first 19 matches, giving them some breathing room but keeping them mindful of the relegation battle. The visitors come into this clash as clear underdogs, yet their recent improvement under head coach Diego Martinez suggests they cannot be overlooked.

Real Madrid’s Form and Challenges

Real Madrid’s recent schedule has been a whirlwind, with four matches across different competitions since their last La Liga outing—a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Valencia at the Mestalla in early January. That game saw Los Blancos reduced to 10 men and trailing late, but a spirited fightback secured a vital three points. Such resilience has defined Madrid’s campaign, although consistency remains a concern.

In the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid have advanced to the quarter-finals after dispatching Deportiva Minera and Celta Vigo. However, their recent outing in the Spanish Super Cup final was a humbling experience, as they suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Barcelona. The loss served as a stark reminder of the challenges ahead in their pursuit of silverware this season.

Despite the occasional hiccup, Real Madrid’s league form at the Bernabeu has been formidable. With eight wins and just one loss in nine home matches, they boast La Liga’s second-best home record. Adding to their confidence is their unbeaten home history against Las Palmas, with Los Amarillos never managing to leave the Bernabeu with a win.

Yet, the road to retaining their title is anything but straightforward. Atletico Madrid’s scintillating form under Diego Simeone has raised the bar this season, with the league leaders potentially stretching their advantage to four points before Real Madrid’s Sunday fixture. Ancelotti’s men also face mounting challenges in the Champions League, where they sit in 20th position in the overall table and must navigate critical league-phase matches against Red Bull Salzburg and Brest.

Injury Concerns and Squad Rotation

Real Madrid will be without two key players, Vinicius Junior and Luka Modric, both suspended for Sunday’s match. The absence of Modric, with his experience and creativity, and Vinicius, with his explosive attacking flair, will force Ancelotti to adjust his tactical approach. Further complicating matters is the confirmed injury to Eduardo Camavinga, who is sidelined for at least three weeks. Additionally, Fran Garcia remains a doubt after limping off in Thursday’s Copa del Rey match against Celta Vigo.

On a more positive note, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is set to return between the posts, providing a significant boost to Madrid’s defensive stability. Key players such as Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Ferland Mendy are also expected to rejoin the starting XI after being rested during midweek action. In a further boost, David Alaba is poised to make his long-awaited return from a serious knee injury sustained in December 2023. However, Madrid remain without Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal, both ruled out for the rest of the season with knee injuries.

The fitness of the squad will undoubtedly weigh on Ancelotti’s decisions, as Real Madrid played 120 minutes against Celta—a taxing affair that could affect their energy levels for Sunday’s encounter. With a demanding schedule ahead, including pivotal Champions League fixtures, squad rotation is likely to be employed.

Las Palmas: An Improving Side Under Diego Martinez

Las Palmas endured a challenging start to the 2024-25 campaign but have shown steady improvement since the appointment of Diego Martinez as head coach in October. Martinez has overseen a transformation in the team’s fortunes, guiding them to eight wins, one draw, and just four losses in his 13 matches in charge. This resurgence has lifted Los Amarillos to 14th in the table, with their record of six wins, four draws, and nine defeats yielding 22 points—six clear of the relegation zone.

One of Las Palmas’ notable strengths this season has been their attacking output. With 24 goals in 19 matches, they have outscored several higher-placed teams, including Osasuna, Real Betis, Sevilla, Valencia, and Real Sociedad. The team’s ability to find the back of the net has kept them competitive, even against stronger opponents.

Las Palmas have proven they can cause problems away from home, avoiding defeat in four of their nine away league matches, including three victories. They also earned a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid in the reverse fixture back in August, showcasing their resilience. Notably, they held Los Blancos to a thrilling 3-3 draw at the Bernabeu in March 2017, a result that remains a fond memory for their fans.

However, their start to 2025 has been less than ideal. A 4-0 thrashing by Elche in the Copa del Rey on January 5 was followed by a 2-1 home defeat to Getafe in the league. These results have dented their momentum, but with no other competitions to focus on, Martinez can channel all his efforts into improving their league standing.

Injury Updates and Predicted Lineups

Las Palmas have their own injury concerns heading into Sunday’s clash. Daley Sinkgraven and Viti are ruled out, while Marvin Park and Jose Campana are major doubts. Despite these setbacks, Martinez is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his lineup. The experienced Adnan Januzaj, who came off the bench to score against Getafe, may earn a starting spot. Meanwhile, Fabio Silva is expected to lead the line, despite missing a penalty last weekend. The Portuguese forward has been a bright spark for Las Palmas, with five goals and two assists in 14 league appearances.

Real Madrid’s expected lineup includes Courtois in goal, supported by a backline featuring Alaba, Antonio Rudiger, and Mendy. The midfield trio of Valverde, Bellingham, and Toni Kroos will likely take charge of dictating play, while Rodrygo and Joselu are set to spearhead the attack in the absence of Vinicius.

Tactical Battle and Expectations

Real Madrid will look to assert their dominance early, leveraging their superior technical quality and home advantage. With Vinicius unavailable, much of the attacking burden will fall on Rodrygo and Joselu, while Bellingham’s late runs into the box could provide an additional goal threat. Madrid’s midfield trio must also work hard to control possession and prevent Las Palmas from exploiting counterattacking opportunities.

Las Palmas, on the other hand, are expected to adopt a cautious approach, focusing on defensive solidity and quick transitions. Their ability to remain compact and frustrate Madrid could be key to earning a result, while players like Januzaj and Silva have the quality to capitalize on any lapses in Madrid’s defense.

Conclusion

While Real Madrid are clear favorites, Las Palmas’ recent improvements under Martinez and their ability to compete against stronger teams make this an intriguing contest. For Los Blancos, victory is essential to keep pace with Atletico Madrid in the title race, while Las Palmas will aim to defy the odds and move further away from the relegation zone.

Sunday’s encounter promises to be a compelling affair, with both teams motivated by their respective objectives. Whether it’s a routine win for the champions or a memorable upset, fans can expect plenty of drama at the Bernabeu.