Prediction: Barcelona to win 2-1
Best Odds: 13/2
Las Palmas and Barcelona will lock horns with each other in La Liga this week. The match between García Pimienta’s side and Xavi’s team will be held at Estadio Gran Canaria and is scheduled to kick off at 8:30 pm UK time on Thursday.
Las Palmas
Las Palmas won promotion from the Segunda Division to La Liga at the end of last season. They ended up as high second in the league table in the second division and were expected to fight for survival in the La Liga table this season. Things are going much better than expected.
García Pimienta’s side are as high as 10th in the La Liga table at the moment with 25 points from 18 matches. Las Palmas are only seven points off a European spot and are as many as 12 points above the relegation zone. There is a very good chance that Los Amarillos could end up in the top half of the table.
Las Palmas will head into the La Liga match against Barcelona this week on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao away from home in the league. It came after a 1-1 draw with Cadiz in front of their fans in La Liga which followed a 1-0 victory over Alaves on the road in the league.
Team News:
Las Palmas are likely to line up in a 4-5-1 formation. Alvaro Valles will start in goal. Julian Araujo, Saul Codo, Mika Marmol and Sergi Cardona will be the four defenders. Javi Munoz, Maximo Perrone and Enzo Loiodice will be the three midfielders. Marvin, Sory Kaba and Munir El Haddadi will be the three forwards.
Barcelona
Barcelona won the La Liga title last season and were expected to kick on this season. Xavi’s side did not have the best of times in the UEFA Champions League last season, but things have not really gone better. In fact, Barcelona have become worse in La Liga.
Xavi’s side are fourth in the La Liga table at the moment with 38 points from 18 matches. The Blaugrana are as many as seven points behind leaders and bitter rivals Real Madrid. Barcelona are unlikely to win the La Liga title for the second season in a row.
Barcelona will head into the La Liga match against Las Palmas away from home this week on the back of a 3-2 victory over Almeria at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys in the league. It came after a 1-1 draw with Valencia away from home in La Liga which followed a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Royal Antwerp away from home in the UEFA Champions League.
Team News:
Barcelona could make some changes to his team. Joao Felix could be dropped and replaced by Ferran Torres in attack. Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha will start. Sergi Roberto will continue to play in midfield and will have Frenkie de Jong alongside him. Ilkay Gundogan should also start for the Blaugrana.
Key Factors to Consider
- Las Palmas have won 2 of their last 5 La Liga matches.
- Las Palmas have lost 2 of their last 5 La Liga matches.
- Barcelona have won 2 of their last 5 La Liga games.
- Barcelona have conceded 21 gals in 18 La Liga games this season.
- Robert Lewandowski has scored 8 goals and given 4 assists in 16 La Liga matches for Barcelona.
Conclusion
Las Palmas are doing relatively well this season and are also at home for the match against Barcelona. However, Barcelona are the better team and have the better players. It is unlikely that Xavi’s side will drop any point at Estadio Gran Canaria on Thursday.
Prediction: Barcelona to win 2-1
Best Odds: 13/2
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