Barcelona is set to visit Las Palmas this Saturday for a highly anticipated La Liga clash at the Gran Canaria Stadium, aiming to extend their current winning streak and solidify their position at the top of the standings.
With the match kicking off at 3:00 PM ET, fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+, FuboTV, and ESPN Deportes. This pivotal encounter will see the league-leading Catalan club, currently tied for first place with Real Madrid on 51 points, look to maintain their grasp on the La Liga title as they navigate the second half of the season. Meanwhile, Las Palmas, sitting precariously at 17th place just above the relegation zone, desperately needs points after suffering four losses in their last five matches.
Barcelona arrives at this match brimming with confidence following five consecutive wins, including impressive victories against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia. Their offensive prowess has been spearheaded by star striker Robert Lewandowski, who leads the La Liga scoring chart with 20 goals, and Raphinha, whose 13 goals have proven pivotal to the team's success this season.
On the flip side, Las Palmas is mired in a dismal run of form, with their latest match against RCD Mallorca ending in a 1-3 defeat, underscoring their defensive vulnerabilities. The team, under the management of Diego Martinez—who took over last October—has seen improvement earlier this season but now faces the risk of slipping back toward relegation. Despite showing promise earlier, the Canary Islands club ended January with only one point out of 18, making them level on points with Valencia, which adds urgency for this match.
Player absences also loom large, with Las Palmas expected to miss several key figures due to injuries, including Kirian Rodríguez, who will not participate. Conversely, they welcome back Sandro Ramírez to the squad, whose experience may help stabilize the squad following periods of tough performances.
Barcelona is not without its challenges, as key defenders Andreas Christensen and Marc-André ter Stegen remain sidelined due to injuries. Nonetheless, their coaching staff remains optimistic with players like Fermin López expected to return after serving suspensions. Barcelona's formidable defense, strengthened by players like Wojciech Szczesny and Iñigo Martínez, has made them hard to break down, evidenced by their solid statistics over the last several matches.
For those planning to watch, streaming the game through platforms like ESPN+ on various devices will provide fans with the opportunity to not miss any of the action. VPN services like NordVPN can also help international fans gain access to their usual streaming channels if they are outside the U.S.
The betting odds heavily favor Barcelona, with moneyline odds at Barcelona -450, Las Palmas +850, and Draw +550. Analysts suggest Barcelona's victory seems likely, especially considering their recent form. Predictions often highlight Raphinha as the likely scorer, underscoring his current influence on the match.
With the title race tightening, every point is precious as Barcelona continues to fend off Real Madrid's challenges. Las Palmas, facing the threat of relegation, has everything to play for. Can they pull off the upset against the defending league champions?