Match Preview: Las Palmas vs Real Madrid
Prediction: 3 points for the visitors
Real Madrid has undergone significant changes this summer, with Toni Kroos retiring and the arrivals of Kylian Mbappe and Endrick. Mbappe began his career at Real Madrid with a goal in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta but has yet to score in the first two La Liga matches.
The Los Blancos began their La Liga 2024/25 title defense with a disappointing 1-1 draw away at Mallorca but bounced back strongly with a 3-0 home win against newly-promoted Real Valladolid. After a goalless first half, Federico Valverde and Brahim Diaz scored, with Endrick coming off the bench to add a third goal, making him the youngest Real Madrid player to score on his La Liga debut in the 21st century.
Thanks to the win against Real Valladolid, Carlo Ancelotti’s team is unbeaten in 34 La Liga matches since their last defeat to city rivals Atletico Madrid in September 2023. Real Madrid will now visit Las Palmas at Gran Canaria for Matchday 3, aiming for their first away win of the season. The prediction for Las Palmas vs Real Madrid heavily favors Los Blancos, who need to secure three points to keep up with Barcelona at the top of the table.
The Galacticos are determined to secure all three points after winning their previous four encounters against Las Palmas, including a 2-1 victory away from home in January. Barcelona is currently the only team with a perfect record in La Liga this season, having come from behind to beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1, leading with a full 9 points. Real Madrid must win against Las Palmas to avoid falling further behind the Camp Nou side.
Las Palmas is led by a new coach this season after Garcia Pimienta left for Sevilla. Luis Carrion was appointed as Pimienta’s successor after a successful stint with Real Oviedo, who narrowly missed out on La Liga this season.
Oviedo’s La Liga dream ended with a playoff final loss to Espanyol, but Carrion now has his first opportunity to manage in the top flight. Unfortunately for Carrion, his early days in La Liga have been challenging, with Las Palmas securing only 1 point from their first 2 matches.
The team drew 2-2 at home in their opener but then lost 1-2 away to Leganes, extending their winless streak in La Liga to 16 matches. Las Palmas may struggle to secure their first La Liga win since February, but they hope to earn points against Los Blancos for the first time since a 3-3 draw in March 2017.
Real Madrid will be missing Jude Bellingham for the second consecutive match due to a thigh injury, with the midfielder out until after the international break in September. Bellingham joins David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga on the injury list, while Jesus Vallejo’s availability is uncertain after missing the win against Valladolid due to fitness issues. Ferland Mendy, who served a one-match suspension for a red card received against Mallorca, will replace Fran Garcia at left-back.
Additional Information:
- Real Madrid is unbeaten in their last 34 La Liga matches.
- Las Palmas has not won in their last 16 La Liga matches.
- The last time Las Palmas won a La Liga match was February 2023.
- Real Madrid has won their last 4 encounters with Las Palmas.
- The last time Las Palmas earned points against Real Madrid in La Liga was in 2017.