Match Preview Real Madrid vs Las Palmas
Real Madrid will host Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, in their seventh match of the La Liga season. The hosts will be looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the campaign, a 3-1 loss to local rivals Atletico Madrid in the derby on Sunday. The visitors, meanwhile, will be hoping to build on their first win of the season, a 1-0 victory over Granada thanks to a late goal by Kirian Rodríguez.
Real Madrid’s recent form and performance
Real Madrid started the season with a six-game winning streak in all competitions, scoring 18 goals and conceding only four. They defeated Athletic Bilbao, Almeria, Celta Vigo, Getafe and Real Sociedad in La Liga, as well as Union Berlin in their Champions League opener. However, they suffered a setback in their last match, losing 3-1 to Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium. Former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata scored twice for the hosts, while Antoine Griezmann also netted a header. Toni Kroos scored a consolation goal for the visitors, who had more possession and shots but could not find a way past Jan Oblak.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side dropped to third place in the league table after the defeat, one point behind leaders Barcelona and Girona. They will be eager to return to winning ways and keep pace with their title rivals. One of the standout performers for Real Madrid this season has been new signing Jude Bellingham, who joined from Borussia Dortmund for a club-record fee of €120 million. The 20-year-old midfielder has scored six goals in six games, including the winner against Union Berlin on his Champions League debut for the club.
Las Palmas’ recent form and performance
Las Palmas secured their first win of the season in dramatic fashion on Sunday, beating Granada 1-0 at home with a stoppage-time goal by Kirian Rodríguez. The midfielder unleashed a stunning long-range strike that flew into the top corner, sending the fans at the Estadio de Gran Canaria into ecstasy. The hosts had to play with 10 men for more than half an hour after Mika Mármol was sent off for a second yellow card, but they showed resilience and determination to hold on and snatch the three points.
Before that win, Las Palmas had drawn two and lost three of their first five games in La Liga, scoring only two goals and conceding four. They drew with Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano, while they lost by one goal to Valencia, Girona and Cádiz. Despite their lack of goals, they have been solid defensively, conceding the fewest goals in the league along with Barcelona. They moved out of the relegation zone after their win over Granada and climbed to 15th place in the table.
Head-to-head record and statistics
Real Madrid and Las Palmas have met 70 times in all competitions, with the former dominating the head-to-head record. Real Madrid have won 47 times, while Las Palmas have won eight times. There have been 15 draws between the two sides. The last time they faced each other was in the 2017-18 La Liga season, when Real Madrid won both home and away games by 3-0 margins. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the first game at the Bernabéu, while Marco Asensio scored a hat-trick in the second game at Gran Canaria.
Real Madrid have never lost at home to Las Palmas in La Liga, winning 24 and drawing four of their 28 meetings. They have scored 87 goals and conceded 23 in those games, averaging 3.1 goals per game. Las Palmas have not beaten Real Madrid in any competition since 2001, when they won 4-2 in the Copa del Rey. Since then, they have lost 13 and drawn two of their 15 encounters with the capital club.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Real Madrid’s injury and suspension list
Real Madrid have several injury concerns ahead of the game against Las Palmas, as they will be without some key players. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is still recovering from a thigh injury that has kept him out of the last four games. He is expected to return after the international break in October. Defender Éder Militão is also sidelined with a hamstring injury that he suffered in the win over Getafe. He is likely to miss the next two weeks of action.
Midfielder Federico Valverde is doubtful for the game after he picked up a knock in the derby loss to Atletico Madrid. He was substituted at half-time and will undergo further tests to determine the extent of his injury. Forward Vinícius Júnior is also a doubt after he missed the last four games with a calf injury. He is close to regaining full fitness, but Ancelotti may not risk him for this game. Striker Karim Benzema is suspended for the game after he received his fifth yellow card of the season against Atletico Madrid.
Las Palmas’ injury and suspension list
Las Palmas have fewer injury worries than Real Madrid, but they will also be missing some important players for the trip to the Bernabéu. Defender Mika Mármol is suspended for the game after he was sent off against Granada. He had started in all six games for Las Palmas this season and was a key part of their defensive unit. Midfielder Sergio Ruiz is also suspended after he accumulated five yellow cards.
Forward Sergio Araujo is injured and will not be available for the game. He has been out of action since August with a knee problem and has no return date yet. He was the top scorer for Las Palmas last season with 15 goals in the second division. Midfielder Fabio González is also out with a long-term injury that he suffered in July. He tore his anterior cruciate ligament and will be out for several months.
Real Madrid’s possible starting XI
With Courtois and Militão out, Ancelotti will have to make some changes in his defensive line. Andriy Lunin will continue to deputize in goal, while Nacho Fernández and David Alaba will form the center-back partnership. Dani Carvajal and Marcelo will occupy the full-back positions, although Ferland Mendy could also start on the left if he is fit enough.
In midfield, Valverde’s possible absence could open the door for Luka Modric to return to the starting lineup. The Croatian veteran was rested against Atletico Madrid, but he could partner Casemiro and Kroos in the middle of the park. Alternatively, Ancelotti could opt for a more attacking approach and play Isco or Asensio instead of Modric.
In attack, Benzema’s suspension will leave a big void in the front line. The Frenchman has been Real Madrid’s best player this season, scoring seven goals and providing five assists in six games. His replacement could be Luka Jovic, who has barely featured for Real Madrid since his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2019. The Serbian striker has scored only two goals in 35 appearances for the club, but he could get a rare chance to prove himself on Wednesday.
On the wings, Bellingham will be expected to continue his impressive form and provide some creativity and goalscoring threat. On the other flank, Rodrygo could get the nod over Eden Hazard, who has struggled to find his best form since joining Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2019. The Belgian winger has scored only five goals in 46 games for Real Madrid and has been hampered by injuries and poor performances.
Real Madrid’s possible starting XI (4-3-3): Lunin; Carvajal, Nacho, Alaba, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Rodrygo, Jovic, Bellingham.
Las Palmas’ possible starting XI
Las Palmas coach Garcia Pimienta will have to make some adjustments in his defense and midfield due to the suspensions of Mármol and Ruiz. In defense, he could bring in Alex Suárez to partner Aythami Artiles in the center-back position. Eric Curbelo and Jonathan Silva will likely retain their places as the right-back and left-back respectively.