Barcelona vs Las Palmas Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Barcelona need to get back on the bike in La Liga with the league leaders collecting just a point from their last two matches as they now take on a much-improved Las Palmas side at Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys this weekend.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 30th November, 2024: UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Barcelona vs Las Palmas may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Barcelona Preview: Belligerent Blaugrana
It has been an extremely impressive start to the Hansi Flick reign since he was appointed Barcelona boss over the summer, controversially replacing club legend Xavi Hernandez. Barcelona’s 3-0 defeat of Stade Brest in the UEFA Champions League in midweek means they have now scored 60 goals in 19 matches across all competitions so far this season.
However, the offside trap has begun to get caught out a few times in the last month or so and they do have key absentees. They went into the November international break on the back of a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad before then giving up a two-goal lead late on to share a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo at Balaidos in Galicia last weekend.
Las Palmas Preview: The Brazilians of Spanish football
Often dubbed ‘the Brazilians of Spanish football’, Las Palmas started the season poorly following the departure of Garcia Pimienta to Sevilla. However, following the appointment of Diego Martinez to replace Luis Carrion last month, the Canary Islanders have been much-improved in the last few weeks.
The Canarians come into this one on the back of fighting back from 2-0 down at home to Real Mallorca last weekend before eventually conceding a second-half stoppage-time winner. However, prior to that loss to Mallorca last week, Diego Martinez had enjoyed four wins in five matches as Las Palmas boss.
Barcelona Team News: Reliance on a 17yo
Barcelona are very good but they have perhaps been exposed in recent weeks for being too reliant on Lamine Yamal with performances dipping since he was sidelined through injury.
There are several absentees for this weekend with Marc Casado now out through suspension due to receiving a game-turning red card in that 2-2 draw with Celta last week.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Inaki Pena; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin; Pedri, De Jong; Raphinha, Gavi, Dani Olmo; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Christensen (Injured), Ronald Araujo (Injured), Marc Bernal (Injured), Marc Casado (Suspended), Ansu Fati (Injured), Lamine Yamal (Injured), Ferran Torres (Injured)
Questionable: Alex Balde (Injured)
Las Palmas Team News: Fully fit
Throughout this season, Las Palmas have been dealing with a long injury list with the likes of Jasper Cillessen and Adnan Januzaj out but both are fully fit and available.
That means the Canary Islanders have no injury concerns or suspension issues for this one so will be able to name an unchanged eleven for their trip to Catalonia.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cillessen; Viti, Alex Suarez, McKenna, Alex Munoz; Dario Essugo, Jose Campana; Sandro, Kirian Rodriguez, Manu Fuster; Silva
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Barcelona vs Las Palmas Prediction
This should be quite an entertaining encounter in Catalonia. Diego Martinez is a smart coach and will back himself and his players to exploit the extremely high line that Barcelona play with the likes of Sandro Ramirez and Kirian Rodriguez getting in behind. Barca remain favourites but haven’t been as fluent without Lamine Yamal so whilst they are expected to come out on top, it could be a high-scoring affair and one to keep an eye on for the neutral.
Barcelona vs Las Palmas Tip: Barcelona to win & over 2.5 goals
