Having reclaimed the top spot in La Liga, Barcelona will now look to build on it with a win against Las Palmas away from home.
Barcelona will look to make it four wins in a row in the league when they square up against UD Las Palmas, who are looking to bring an end to their winless run.
The home team are 17th on the points table with just 23 points in their 24 outings. They are level on points with 18th-placed Valencia and cannot really afford to relax. Las Palmas have been winless in their last six league outings, losing five of those fixtures. If they do not bring an end to this poor run, Las Palmas could be all set for a battle for survival heading into the final phase of the season.
The visitors are on top of the table with 51 points in their 24 games. While a poor run of form towards the end of 2024 saw they give up a healthy lead at the top, Hansi Flick’s are back in control thanks to a run of four wins in their last five games.
Barcelona were not at their best in their last outing against Rayo Vallecano. While they did secure a 1-0 win, they will look for a much-improved performance, especially in the final third. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
UD Las Palmas
Sandro Ramirez is back available after serving a suspension last time out. Meanwhile, Dario Essugo is serving a ban, while Scott McKenna is suspended for this one and Kirian Rodriguez is out injured. Marvin Park, Fabio Silva, Marc Cardona, and Adnan Januzaj all have fitness concerns, and their participation is doubtful.
The home team will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Jasper Cillessen should continue between the sticks. Victor Alvarez Rozada and Mika Marmol will be the full-backs, while Alex Suarez and Andy Pelmard will feature in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Enzo Loiodice will form the double pivot with Stefan Bajcetic. The duo will have a lot of defending to do against the best attack in the division. Javier Munoz will be the chief creator for Las Palmas, while Alberto Moleiro and Sandro Ramírez will feature on the flanks providing the much-needed width to their attacks. Oli McBurnie should continue to lead the line for them.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Cillessen; Rozada, Suarez, Pelmard, Marmol; Loiodice, Bajcetic; Sandro, Munoz, Moleiro; McBurnie
Barcelona
Fermin Lopez is back available after serving a suspension last time out. Meanwhile, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen, and Marc Bernal remain on the sidelines. Ronald Araujo was back in the squad last time out, and he could be starting in this one.
The visitors will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny should continue in goal. Jules Kounde will return to the right-back position, while Alejandro Balde will continue on the left flank. In the heart of the defence, Araujo should partner Inigo Martinez.
Frenkie de Jong has worked his way back into the mix, and he should start alongside Pedri in the double pivot in midfield. They will look to control the tempo and ensure they dominate the ball.
Gavi will be the attacking midfielder, while Raphinha and Lamine Yamal will feature out wide on the flanks providing width to their attacks. Robert Lewandowski will lead the line for Barcelona against UD Las Palmas on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Inigo Martinez, Balde; de Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Gavi, Yamal; Lewandowski
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won four out of their last five La Liga games. They are on a three-match winning streak heading into this fixture.
- Las Palmas have lost five out of their last six league games, which has dragged them into the relegation battle.
- Barcelona have the best attack in the division having bagged 65 goals in their 24 outings.
- The home team have the second worst defensive record in La Liga, having conceded 41 goals in their 24 games.
- Barcelona have not lost to UD Las Palmas since February 1991.
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
At 36, the Polish international is still going strong. He remains one of the best forwards in the world, having contributed towards 35 goals in his 34 outings. Lewandowski has bagged a goal in each of their last four league outings, and it won’t make sense to bet against him scoring in this fixture.
Prediction
UD Las Palmas 0-3 Barcelona
Las Palmas have lost each of their last three league games heading into this fixture, and they will certainly struggle going up against one of the best teams in the country. The Catalan giants are heading into this fixture on the back of four straight wins in La Liga, and they should be able to make it five in a row. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Barcelona.
