Spain Round 22

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Las Palmas vs Real Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Las Palmas:
Valles; Suarez, Herzog, Marmol, S. Cardona; El Haddadi, Munoz, Perrone, K Rodriguez, Moleiro; Sandro

Real Madrid:
Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Kroos; Diaz; Vinicius, Rodrygo

Las Palmas welcome Real Madrid to Estadio Gran Canaria on Saturday. Los Blancos are big favorites in this clash, they are fighting for title. However, the high-flying Las Palmas should not be underestimated. They sit 8th with 31 points, massive 16 points away from the relegation zone. The fans are satisfied and most of them are dreaming about European football for the next season. The current form is good, two victories on the last two matches in La Liga. The opponents were not naive teams, so the results should be respected. The Islanders will enter the match off the back of two victories over Villarreal and Rayo Vallecano. Furthermore, Las Palmas have scored five goals and kept clean sheets on the mentioned two matches. Coach Garcia Pimienta is surely satisfied with the results, but also has some issues. Saul Coco is already with the Equatorial Guinea national team for the final stage of the Africa Cup. Additionally, Julian Araujo is serving his four-game suspension, but could be available if the appeal is positive. Three more players - Daley Sinkgraven, Alvaro Lemos and Eric Curbelo - are doubtful due to injury and will require late fitness tests.

Real Madrid are second on the table, just one point adrift of the leaders Girona, but with match in hand. Los Blancos could take the top of the table in case of positive result here, so the players motivation will be very big. The current form is good, they won the Supercup played in Saudi Arabia. Real beat the city rivals Atletico in the semifinals and they were brilliant in the final when destroyed the biggest rivals Barcelona. They scored five goals against Atletico and four against Barca. Real Madrid dominated the final and won 4:1. In the meantime they won 3:2 against bottom-placed Almeria in domestic Primera Division. The victory was expected, but not easy. Almeria coach was disappointed with the referee's decisions, even some of Barcelona officials reacted. Of course, Carlo Ancellotti was happy with the victory, but something else worried him. Key player Jude Bellingham is out suspended due to accumulated yellow cards. The England international is the team's leading goalscorer this season, so his absence is a huge handicap. Three more players - Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and David Alaba - remain sidelined through injuries.

Las Palmas vs Real Madrid Prediction:

Real are the second-best team in term of efficiency with 43 goals. Ancellotti is without best scorer Bellingham, but still have lot of players able to score. Furthermore, Real have scored at least 2 goals in their last 9 matches against Las Palmas in all competitions. Las Palmas are also in good form, they have scored five goals on the last two matches in La Liga. Are they able to upset Real? Definitely the are. Las Palmas lost 2:1 to Barcelona earlier this month, while beat 2:1 Atletico Madrid in November. I expect at least three goals here.

Las Palmas vs Real Madrid Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.70 with Pinnacle