Prediction: Barcelona vs Las Palmas

Verdict: Lamine Yamal over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to mark their return from March’s international break with a flurry, Barcelona will welcome Las Palmas to Catalonia on Saturday night.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, while Barcelona might be seeking a minor miracle in their bid to defend their La Liga crown, the Spanish heavyweights were enjoying a real purple patch prior to March’s international break. Last seen putting in a stunning performance away at Atletico Madrid as they stormed their way to a 3-0 romp, Xavi’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous nine straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to January 27th. Likewise, extending on their Champions League adventure earlier in the month as they secured a 4-2 aggregate victory against Napoli, Barcelona will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity this weekend. Marking their return from the fortnight interval sat eight points adrift of runaway leaders Real Madrid, Xavi’s squad are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender here.

Team News

Dealing with what has quickly become a stacked injury list in Catalonia, Barcelona will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Alejandro Balde, Gavi and Pedri. Likewise, dealing with a recent thigh injury and missing out against Atletico prior to March’s international break, former Manchester City ace Ferran Torres is a doubt on Saturday night.

However, returning from a recent knock, Portugal international Joao Cancelo should make a full return this weekend. Helping fire Poland to this summer’s European Championships earlier in the week, attacking talisman Robert Lewandowski will spearhead Xavi’s charge here.

Las Palmas

As for the visitors, while Las Palmas might have come flying out of the traps when making their La Liga return this season, Garcia Pimienta’s men have largely come crashing back down to earth. Heading into March’s international break with a nightmare performance on home soil as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at the hands of leading relegation scrappers Almeria, the Yellows have come under some recent scrutiny. Tumbling out the top-half of the La Liga standings, Las Palmas have collected just a pair of points from any of their previous five appearances. Likewise, it should also be highlighted, Saturday’s guests have recorded just a single victory from any of their last eight outings across all competitions – a run that stems back to January 20th. Hit with a 2-1 loss when they welcomed Barcelona to the Estadio Gran Canaria on January 4th, Pimienta’s men certainly face another monumental challenge here.

Team News

Suffering a muscle injury while away with Mexico last week, Barcelona loanee Julian Araujo is not expected to feature against his parent club on Saturday night. Suffering a nightmare start to life in Spain and making just seven appearances since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen over the summer, Daley Sinkgraven is still a real doubt this weekend.

However, after serving a one-match suspension against Almeria prior to March’s international break, 25-year-old Saul Coco should make a full return in Catalonia. Although Sanro Ramirez might have bagged just a single La Liga strike so far this season, the one-time Everton misfit should spearhead Pimienta’s side here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Barcelona and Las Palmas met for their reverse La Liga showdown on January 4th, the reigning Spanish champions collected a 2-1 victory at the Estadio Gran Canaria.
• Barcelona have won all of their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 7-1.
• Likewise, Xavi’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous nine straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to January 27th.
• Las Palmas have collected just a pair of points from any of their previous five La Liga appearances.
• The Yellows have shipped eight goals in their last two La Liga showdowns away from the Estadio Gran Canaria.

Conclusion

Heading into March’s international break in the midst of a real purple patch, Barcelona will certainly be smelling another golden opportunity here. Last seen storming their way to a 3-0 romp away at Atletico Madrid, Saturday’s hosts will be looking for a repeat performance here. Unbeaten in all of their previous nine appearances across all competitions and enjoying a real free-scoring flurry, Barca are rightfully pencilled in as a landslide contender this weekend.

Verdict: Lamine Yamal over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet