vs
Las Palmas
Santiago Bernab u, Madrid
Saturday, 31st October, 1500 GMT
Real Madrid take on Las Palmas looking to extend their lead at the top of the table to three points before FC Barcelona play the other Madrid-based side, Getafe.
Real go in the game level on points with arch rivals FC Barcelona. Las Palmas on the other hand sit in the relegation zone with just six points from nine games, level with the bottom side.
Real Madrid Team News & Tactics
Rafael Benitez’s side are expected to line-up in a 4-3-3 formation for the visit of Las Palmas.
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Gareth Bale remains out of reckoning for the league leaders, with James Rodriguez and Dani Carvajal battling to get fit in time to play the game.
Matteo Kovacic may return to the bench despite having trained away from the group during the week.
Isco is expected to take the place of the injured Bale, with Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo completing the front three.
Casemiro is expected to add balance to the midfield, consisting of Toni Kroos and Luca Modric.
Marcelo and Danilo will be looking to get up and down the flanks from the wingback position, with Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos in the central defense protecting Keylor Navas in goal.
Predicted Real Madrid XI: Navas, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo, Danilo, Kroos, Modric, Casemiro, Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
Las Palmas Team News and Tactics
The minnows of Spanish football are expected to shadow Real Madrid’s 4-3-3 formation, with Sergio Araujo leading the line for them.
Viera and former Liverpool FC winger Nabil el Zhar, who played under Benitez, are expected to complete the front three alongside the Argentine.
Hernan, Wakaso and Roque are expected to from the midfield three, looking to link the midfield and defence.
Former Manchester City left-back Javier Garrido is playing on the left side of the Las Palmas defence with Simon manning the other flank and up against the might of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bigas and Aythami are the central defensive pairing given the task of shielding goalkeeper Varas from the Real Madrid onslaught.
Predicted Las Palmas XI: Varas, Bigas, Aythami, Garrido, Simon, Hernan, Wakaso, Roque, El Zhar, Viera, Araujo
Match Facts
- Real Madrid have won 18/21 home matches in La Liga.
- Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet in their last 4 home matches in La Liga.
- Las Palmas have failed to score in their last 3 matches in La Liga.
- Las Palmas have conceded at least 2 goals in their last 3 away matches in La Liga.
Man to Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo
The Portuguese will be hoping to bury a few past the Las Palmas goalkeeper Varas and put some more distance between him and the injured Lionel Messi before the FC Barcelona forward makes his comeback.
Ronaldo is also chasing down Neymar Jr. who sits atop the goalscoring charts with 8 goals, with the Portuguese just a goal short of the Brazil star, having played a game more.
Ronaldo will fancy his chances against the Las Palmas fullback Simon, who will have his task cut out in stopping the Portugal captain.
Prediction:
Real Madrid 4-0 Las Palmas
Real Madrid have been rock solid at the back and with their form picking up late in terms of attack. Also aided by easing of the injury crisis there, are expected to brush aside the challenge of the La Liga strugglers Las Palmas, who have scored just six goals in their 9 games so far this season.
Blast from the Past
