Real Madrid v Las Palmas: Preview, TV channel info, Team News, Prediction, Betting odds

Ronaldo is once again expected to turn it on against Las Palmas

Real Madrid remain unbeaten this season and will take on recently promoted Las Palmas on match day ten. Los Blancos will look to kill off the encounter as soon as possible as they have a hugely important Champions League match against French high-fliers Paris St Germain on Tuesday.

The Vikings will do well not to underestimate the Canary Islanders who lost out by a solitary goal to both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Las Palmas manager Quique Setien will go or the win and said as much in his press conference.

Incidentally, Real Madrid have never lost a home game against Las Palmas winning 27 and drawing four of their encounters.

Kick Off

Channel: Sony Kix

Date and Time: Saturday, 30th October 2015 – 8:30 pm IST

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

Team News

Real Madrid head into the match with a severely depleted squad but have recovered Pepe from his spell on the sidelines. Gareth Bale didn't make the cut and is still nursing the injury he picked up against Levante. Ramos, Carvajal, James and Benzema are also injured and will not feature on match day 10 but, Benitez will be delighted with the progress of James and Benzema who are now training with the squad. However, the biggest blow Madrid suffered was to lose Keylor Navas (muscle strain) who sustained an injury and Kiko Casilla is expected to deputise in his stead.

The club from the Canary Islands have injury problems of their own and will not be able to count on the services of ex-Wigan Athletic defender Antolin Alcaraz who has picked up a calf injury and right back Angel Lopez. Midfielder Wakaso Mubarak has returned from suspension but, has been left out of the squad.

Probable Lineups

Real Madrid (4-3-3): Casilla; Marcelo, Pepe, Varane, Danilo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Isco, Jese, Ronaldo

Las Palmas (4-4-2): Varas, Garrido, Artiles, Bigas, Simon, El Zhar, Vicente Gomez, Mesa, Araujo, Viera, Tana

Form

Real Madrid head into the match on the back of their 3-1 win over Celta de Vigo which saw Ronaldo Marcelo and Danilo register their names on the score sheet. Marcelo has been in sublime form of late, finding the back of the net in his last two league appearances, and is expected to conjure up some magic against Las Palmas. Real Madrid are joint leaders in the league level on points with Barcelona.

The absence of the trio of Bale, Benzema and James, as well as goal keeper Keylor Navas (muscle strain), will be a cause of concern for Rafa Benitez but the Spanish gaffer will draw consolation from the fact that they have conceded just 3 goals this term. Kiko Casilla should be a more than able understudy to keep Las Palmas at bay.

Last 5 games: WDWDW (Most Recent: Celta Vigo 1-3 Real Madrid)

Las Palmas sit near the bottom of La Liga in 18th place with 6 points from nine games. They have suffered five defeats, three draws and have won just one game so far into the season. Having already replaced their manager once, the Canary Islanders will hope to embark on a reversal of fortunes by beating Real Madrid at the Bernabeu.

Last 5 games: WLLLD (Most Recent: Las Palmas 0-0 Villarreal)

Key Stats

• Since 1988, the Real Madrid and Las Palmas have met on just four occasions, all of which came between 2000 and 2002. Real Madrid netted 15 goals during the four matches, scoring seven in their last meeting.
• Los Blancos have never lost a home game against Las Palmas, emerging victorious on 27 occasions and drawing the remaining four matches.
• Las Palmas stunned Real Madrid at the Estadio Gran Canaria on October 2001, winning by a scoreline of 4-2.
• Dating back to their last top-flight appearance in 2001-02, Las Palmas have now gone 14 La Liga away matches without a win, drawing five, whilst losing the other nine.

Prediction

Real Madrid are expected to register a victory over their recently promoted Las Palmas who have made a somewhat shaky start to the League campaign and find themselves very close to the relegation zone. Expect Ronaldo and Jese to be among the goals on Saturday in what should be a routine win for Los Blancos.

Real Madrid 3-0 Las Palmas

Betting Odds (bet365)

Real Madrid: 1/11

Draw: 10/1

Las Palmas: 22/1