Real Madrid will look to return to winning ways when they host Las Palmas after suffering their first defeat of the season at the hands of city rivals Atletico Madrid.
15th-placed Las Palmas are all set to hit the road to square up against Real Madrid, who recently suffered a humiliating defeat in the Madrid derby. The visitors are heading into this fixture on the back of a win and will look to cause an upset. But it won’t be easy as Real Madrid will be eager to return to winning ways.
Los Blancos had won each of their first five league games and were sitting at the top of the table comfortably. However, a defeat to the city rivals has seen them fall down to third, having accumulated 15 points in six outings.
They were far from their best against Atletico and ended up losing 3-1 on the night. Carlo Ancelotti’s men had more of the ball, and they took more shots on goals. But they were not clinical enough on the night. And, the Merengues will now look to bounce back when they host Las Palmas.
The visitors had failed to win a game out of their first five outings in the 2023/24 season. However, they managed to end their winless run last time out when they squared up against Granada. Three points from the last outing have helped them climb up to the 15th place with five points in their six matches.
They are heading into this fixture on the back of a clinical 1-0 win over Granada. The visitors dominated the ball and they were the better side on the night. Thanks to a late winner by Kirian Rodríguez they ended up claiming all three points.
While Las Palmas will be heading into this fixture high on confidence, it won’t be easy by any means as Real Madrid will desperate to return to winning ways. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at this fixture and tries to predict the tactics the two teams could use.
Team News & Tactics
Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be without the services of Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao. Meanwhile, Dani Carvajal, who has missed their last two outings is still a doubt for this fixture. Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior have recently returned from injury. But only the latter expected to play a part in this home game, with the former suffering a setback in his recovery.
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— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 25, 2023
Carlo Ancelotti made a few tactical changes for the Madrid derby. But they did not really work out well for him. As a result, he is expected to return to the 4-4-2 formation with a diamond in the centre of the park. Kepa Arrizabalaga will continue in goal.
Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia will continue as the full-backs. Once again, it will be Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba in the heart of the defence. Eduardo Camavinga will feature as the defensive midfielder in the centre of the park. Federico Valverde and Luka Modric will be on either side of the French international.
Jude Bellingham will continue as an attacking midfielder behind the two forwards. Finally, Brahim Diaz might get a start here alongside Brazilian sensation Rodrygo Goes, with Joselu finding himself on the bench again.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Kepa; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Valverde, Camavinga, Modric; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
Las Palmas
The visitors will be without the services of Fabio Gonzalez, Alberto Moleiro, Benito Ramirez, and Sandro Ramirez. Meanwhile, Mika Marmol is suspended for this fixture.
👋🏽 ¡Buenas noches, afición!#LaUniónHaceLasPalmas 💛💙 @Suarezalex46 pic.twitter.com/fLr7s4cbF2
— UD Las Palmas (@UDLP_Oficial) September 25, 2023
Garcia Pimienta is expected to stick to the 4-5-1 formation, where Alvaro Valles will be in goal. Julian Araujo and Sergi Cardona will start out wide as the full-backs. In the heart of the defence Saul Coco will replace Marmol and he will pair up with Alex Suarez.
Pejino and Jonathan Viera will start on the flanks. While they will look to help out their full-backs, the duo’s priority will be to push further up and provide width to their attacks.
Kirian Rodriguez who scored a late winner in their last outing will continue in the centre of the park alongside Maximo Perrone and Enzo Loiodice. The trio will look to dictate the pace of the game and not allow the Madrid midfielder to dominate the proceedings. Meanwhile, former Barcelona forward Munir El Haddadi will be the loan forward up top.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Valles; Araujo, Suarez, Coco, Cardona; Pejino, Rodriguez, Perrone, Loiodice, Viera; Munir
Key Stats
- Real Madrid and Las Palmas have faced each other on 70 occasions in all competitions. The hosts have won 47 matches while the visitors have only won eight matches.
- The two teams last met back in the 2017.18 season, where Real Madrid won 3-0 both home and away.
- Las Palmas have the worst attack in the league at this point in time having scored just twice.
- Los Blancos have scored a minimum of three goals in each of their last five home matches against the visitors in all competitions.
- Real Madrid have only lost once in their last 25 home games in the league.
Player to Watch
Eduardo Camavinga
Real Madrid suffered in the Madrid derby, but there were a few positives for the team in white. And, one of those was the performance of Camavinga, who was a class above the rest. While the Frenchman could not help Real Madrid make a comeback, he will be eager to help his team return to winning ways.
The former Stade Rennais midfielder has featured in all seven of their games and is expected to start this fixture given his recent form. The French international might end up being the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Real Madrid 4-0 Las Palmas
Real Madrid are heading into this encounter on the back of a humiliating defeat at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid. While Las Palmas are coming on the back of their first win of the 2023/24 La Liga.
The visitors will be confident of getting a positive result from this fixture. But, Los Blancos will be eager to bounce back and they will most likely go all out in this fixture. Given the strength of the Madrid squad, The Hard Tackle predicts a 4-0 win for the home team.
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