Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid will hit the road to square up against Las Palmas in search of their second win of the new La Liga season.
After starting the new campaign with a draw, the defending champions Real Madrid bounced back with an emphatic win in their last outing, and they will be looking to build on it when they square up against UD Las Palmas, who have not had the best of starts.
UD Las Palmas started the new season with a draw. They hosted Sevilla on Matchday 1, and it was an evenly contested fixture that ended 2-2. The hosts surely did try their best to secure all three points, but it was not really possible against a well-drilled opposition.
While the start was not that poor, they followed it up with a disappointing defeat at the hands of Leganes away from home. Despite dominating the ball, Las Palmas could not get the better of the opposition and ended up losing 2-1. They will look to bounce back against the Spanish giants but it won’t be easy.
Los Blancos won the UEFA Super Cup quite comfortably but their opening league game against RCD Mallorca was not that easy for them. Despite dominating the ball, they only created a handful of chances and ended up playing a 1-1 draw.
With the frustration of the result against Mallorca, they hosted Real Valladolid in the second round. While Los Blancos did struggle in the first half, the team in white scored thrice in the second to seal an easy win. Teenage sensation Endrick took away the limelight as he came on in the end and fired one home on his debut with his right foot.
While it is still early days in the season, Real Madrid are slowly starting to click, and they will surely make it difficult for Las Palmas. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
UD Las Palmas
The home team will be without the services of Adnan Januzaj and Pejino due to muscle injuries. Fabio Gonzalez, who has missed the opening two games of the season with an ankle issue, will be assessed before the start of this fixture.
Despite having scored in their first two fixtures of the season, Sandro Ramirez will not start in this outing. Las Palmas are expected to go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation, with Jasper Cillessen in goal.
Alex Suarez and Alex Munoz will feature as the full-backs for them, while Mika Mármol will pair up with Scott McKenna in the heart of the defence. In the centre of the park, Javier Munoz will form a partnership with Kirian Rodríguez and Enzo Loiodice.
They will look to ensure they do not allow Real Madrid midfielders to dominate the ball too deep in their half. Marvin Park and Oliver McBurnie will feature on the flanks providing width to their attacks while Alberto Moleiro will be leading the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Cillessen; Suarez, McKenna, Marmol, Alex Munoz; Javier Munoz, Loiodice, Rodriguez; Marvin, Moleiro, McBurnie
Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham will once again be unavailable as he has been sidelined with a muscle injury in his right leg and is expected to return after the international break. David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga are already on the sidelines, with Jesus Vallejo being a doubt for this fixture.
Ferland Mendy is back from suspension and is expected to start at left-back. Carlo Ancelotti will go ahead with the 4-3-3 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will take charge in goal. Lucas Vazquez could replace Carvajal at right-back, with Mendy making a return on the left. In the heart of the defence, Eder Militao should pair up with Antonio Rudiger.
In the centre of the park, Aurelien Tchouameni will be the defensive midfielder, and he will have the support of Federico Valverde and veteran Luka Modric. They will look to control the tempo of the game.
Arda Guler started in their last outing, but he might be back on the bench for this one, with Brahim Diaz getting the nod as the right winger. Vinicius Junior will continue on the left flank, while Kylian Mbappe will lead the line for Real Madrid against Las Palmas.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Modric; Brahim, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr
Key Stats
- Las Palmas have been winless in the last 16 league games.
- Real Madrid have been unbeaten in their last 34 league outings. Their last defeat came back in September 2023 to Atletico Madrid.
- Los Blancos have won each of their last four meetings against Las Palmas.
- The home team haven’t won a game in La Liga since February.
- The last time Las Palmas picked up a point against Real Madrid was back in March 2017 when they played out a 3-3 draw with them.
Player to Watch
Brahim Diaz
Despite not being a regular starter, the 25-year-old finished with 21 goal contributions last season. He was one of their standout players, and his cameos off the bench were quite helpful for Ancelotti’s team.
While he is yet to start a game this season, Diaz already has a goal and an assist in just 31 minutes of first-team action. With the Moroccan international expected to start in this fixture, all eyes will be on him as he will look to make another statement.
Prediction
UD Las Palmas 1-3 Real Madrid
While Los Blancos did struggle in their last away trip, the win against Real Valladolid would have surely boosted their confidence. Real Madrid have started to slowly click, and UD Las Palmas might end up struggling against them on Thursday. Given the difference in quality between the two teams, The Hard Tackle predicts an easy 3-1 win for the away team.
