Defending champions Barcelona open the brand new 12 months with an away fixture in opposition to Las Palmas at Gran Canaria on Thursday.
Barcelona presently sits fourth within the league standings, whereas Las Palmas, newly promoted, occupies the ninth spot.
Match Preview
Las Palmas, regardless of ending 2023 with a loss in opposition to Athletic Bilbao, has had a commendable return to La Liga after an absence since 2017-18.
Their file of seven wins, 4 attracts, and 7 losses places them simply three factors away from the highest seven.
Whereas they haven’t been prolific scorers, their protection has been stable, conceding solely 15 objectives this season, second solely to Actual Madrid.
The workforce’s dwelling performances have been significantly robust, having misplaced solely certainly one of their eight league matches at Estadio de Gran Canaria.
Las Palmas goals to duplicate their earlier success in opposition to Atletico Madrid at dwelling by difficult Barcelona, a feat they haven’t achieved since 1991.
Barcelona, alternatively, had an inconsistent finish to 2023, dropping factors in three of their final 5 league matches.
They start the brand new 12 months seven factors behind joint leaders Actual Madrid and Girona.
Whereas they secured a slim 3-2 win in opposition to Almeria of their final sport, their away type has seen 5 attracts in eight matches, together with their latest fixtures in opposition to Valencia and Rayo Vallecano.
Though they’d a draw of their earlier assembly in 2018, Barcelona’s historical past of 5 consecutive victories in opposition to Las Palmas earlier than that encounter supplies optimism for a constructive consequence.
Group Information
Las Palmas will probably be lacking Alvaro Lemos attributable to damage, and Fabio Gonzalez and Alberto Moleiro are uncertain attributable to damage issues.
Barcelona loanee Julian Araujo gained’t characteristic in opposition to his mum or dad membership attributable to mortgage settlement clauses, making manner for Alex Suarez in protection.
For Barcelona, Pedri stays sidelined with a muscle damage, whereas Ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso, and Gavi are additionally unavailable.
Frenkie de Jong is ready to return from suspension, whereas Jules Kounde and Ferran Torres are anticipated to start out. New signing Vitor Roque might debut if paperwork is accomplished in time.
Predicted Lineups
Las Palmas: (4-3-3)
Valles;
Suarez, Coco, Marmol, Cardona;
Munoz, Perrone, Rodriguez;
Park, Munir, Sandro
Barcelona: (4-3-3)
Pena;
Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde;
Roberto, De Jong, Gundogan;
Raphinha, Torres, Lewandowski
Prediction: Las Palmas 1-2 Barcelona
Barcelona faces a troublesome check in opposition to Las Palmas, who’ve been formidable at dwelling this season. But, given Barcelona’s high quality, they’re tipped to safe a slim victory over the promoted aspect.