Las Palmas Vs. Barcelona Prediction: Blaugrana Aims For Five Concrete Victorys

Lamine Yamal, Barcelona's young star (photo: x @FCBarcelona)

JAKARTA - Barcelona will continue their struggle in La Liga this season by traveling to Las Palmas headquarters on Saturday 22 February or Sunday morning WIB at the Estadio Gran Canaria. The Blaugrana came with impressive capital after winning their last four matches in domestic competitions and are now at the top of the standings, ahead of Real Madrid based on head-to-head records.

On the other hand, Las Palmas actually had a difficult period, with a series of bad results that saw them fall into the bottom of the standings. This match will be a tough test for the home team to bounce back, while Barcelona have a great opportunity to continue to press their rivals in the hunt for the title.

Las Palmas is currently ranked 17th in La Liga standings with 23 points from 24 matches. Diego Martinez's side have a record of six wins, five draws, and 13 defeats throughout the season. Their position is even more worrying because they have the same number of points as Valencia, which is ranked 18th or the relegation zone.

The team nicknamed Pio Pio is in the middle of a bad period after failing to win in the last six matches in La Liga. Worse yet, they swallowed three consecutive defeats to Girona (0-3), Villarreal (1-2), and Mallorca (0-1), which exacerbated their position in the standings.

Prior to the winter break, Las Palmas actually performed quite solid and even managed to beat Barcelona 2-1 in the first meeting at Camp Nou. However, their performance has dropped dramatically since returning from vacation, making them have to fight hard to stay in the highest caste of Spanish football.

In terms of home notes, Las Palmas is also not too impressive. Of the 12 matches at the Estadio Gran Canaria, they were only able to collect 13 points, which is one of the worst home records in the league this season.

Meanwhile, Barcelona are at their best. The 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano in the last game took them to the top of the table with 51 points from 24 matches, the same as Real Madrid but winning in head-to-head records. Atletico Madrid also trailed in third place with a difference of one point.

Hansi Flick's Blaugrana have come very impressively in recent weeks, with four consecutive La Liga wins. They are also unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions since the last loss to Atletico Madrid before the winter break.

Barcelona also performed superior in away games this season. Of the 13 games that have been played outside the home, they have won 27 points, making it the team with the best away record in La Liga this season.

The Catalan team is also still competing in three different competitions. They have confirmed tickets to the knockout stages of the Champions League and will face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals next week. With a busy schedule, Flick must certainly be careful in rotating his squad to remain competitive in all competitions.

Las Palmas got good news with the return of Sandro Ramirez and Dario Essugo from suspension, which would add strength to their attacking lines. However, they had to lose Scott McKenna who was banned from playing.

In addition,butman Park, Fabio Silva, Marc Cardona, and Adnan Januzaj are still doubtful about appearing due to fitness issues. Meanwhile, midfielder Kirian Rodriguez had to be sidelined until the end of the season after experiencing cancer which left her unable to participate in the rest of the competition.

While Barcelona still cannot be strengthened by Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen who are currently injured. However, good news came from Fermin Lopez who had finished his suspension and were back on track for play.

Ronald Araujo, who was previously only a substitute against Rayo Vallecano, is expected to return to the starting XI, with Jules Kunde who most likely occupies the right-back position.

In midfield, Frenkie de Jong, who is now trusted by Hansi Flick, is predicted to continue playing as a starter, while Pedri and Raphinha are also expected to appear from the early minutes.

Barcelona had an impressive record against Las Palmas in an away match. They last lost at Las Palmas headquarters in February 1991 and have never lost to the team at the Estadio Gran Canaria since February 1986.

In the last five meetings in La Liga, Barcelona recorded three wins, one draw, and one defeat. However, the defeat occurred in the first meeting of the season when they lost 1-2 at Camp Nou.

Las Palmas had a bad record against big teams this season. They have lost to Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, and Villarreal, and have only picked up one point from the match against the top five.

Barcelona came with their favorite status, given their uphill performance and an incredible away record this season. Meanwhile, Las Palmas struggled to find the form of his best game and had a defensive line that was prone to breaking.

With the return of some key players like Araujo and Kounde on the back, as well as Lewandowski's sharpness up front, Barcelona are predicted to dominate the game. Las Palmas did come as a surprise with a win in the first meeting, but this time their condition was much worse and showed no signs of a comeback.

If Barcelona were able to score a quick goal, they would most likely control the game and win by two or three goals. However, Las Palmas could have given fierce resistance if they played more solidly on the defense.

Estimated line-up

Las Palmas (4-2-3-1):Cillessen; Rozada, Suarez, Pelmard, Marmol; Loiodice, Bajcetic; Sandro, Munoz, Moleiro; McBurnie

Barcelona (4-2-3-1):Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, I Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Raphinha, Gavi, Yamal; Lewandowski

Score prediction: Las Palmas 0-3 Barcellon