Las Palmas vs Real Madrid

Estadio de Gran Canaria sets the stage for an intriguing La Liga contest between Las Palmas and Real Madrid.

Following an underwhelming three-game winless streak (D1, L2), Las Palmas’ impressive comeback season is back on track, with back-to-back wins ‘to nil’ propelling them to eighth in the La Liga table ahead of this round. Defensively solidity has emerged as this team’s most prominent feature, with only Real Madrid (13) conceding fewer goals than Las Palmas (17) this term. Indeed, ‘Los Amarillos’ have allowed an average of only 0.7 goals per home league fixture this season, making it up for a relatively modest average of 1.3 goals per match. Despite succumbing to a 3-0 loss in their last top-flight home clash against Real Madrid, Las Palmas netted 2+ goals in two of their three previous home league H2Hs since October 2001, suggesting they might not only defend here.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid pulled off an incredible second-half comeback, overturning a 2-0 halftime deficit to beat rock-bottom Almeria 3-2 at home last weekend and stay within a one-point distance of surprising pacesetters Girona. Carlo Ancelotti’s men also have a game in hand, while they’ve won four La Liga matches in the build-up to this trip, including a narrow 1-0 triumph at Deportivo Alaves on their last league travel. Indeed, ‘Los Blancos’ have fared exceptionally well on the road this season, losing just once in ten La Liga away games (W7, D2). But they’ve stuttered in front of goal lately, scoring precisely once on three of their last five top-flight road trips. Considering their formidable eight-game H2H form (W6, D2), one goal may do the trick here.