FC Barcelona is set to face Las Palmas on Saturday evening at the Estadio Gran Canaria, as they attempt to solidify their lead at the top of La Liga. After regaining their position as league leaders following four consecutive victories, the Blaugrana are displaying immense form, becoming unbeaten across their last 12 fixtures in all competitions. The match kicks off at 21:00 local time.
With stars like Robert Lewandowski and Pedri leading the attack, Hansi Flick's men aim to continue their impressive run. They recently secured victory over Rayo Vallecano, and their offensive prowess has been on full display. Over the past four matches, Barcelona scored 14 goals, taking down teams like Sevilla with a 4-1 defeat and Valencia with a staggering 7-1 victory.
On the other hand, Las Palmas finds themselves mired near the relegation zone, currently 17th with just 23 points. Despite their low standing, they secured an upset earlier this season by defeating Barcelona 2-1 at the Camp Nou during the club's 125th anniversary celebrations. This history adds pressure on Barcelona to perform this time around.
The Catalans will miss several key players, including Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen due to injuries. These absences could impact their defensive solidity, which will make their matchup against Las Palmas's offensive players, Sandro Ramírez and Fábio Silva, all the more intriguing.
Las Palmas will deploy their standard 4-1-4-1 formation, aiming to stifle Barcelona's attacks and exploit any defensive vulnerabilities. Head coach Diego Martinez Penas hopes his team can capitalize on their recent offensive struggles.
Former Barcelona players like Jasper Cillessen and Mika Mármol are also expected to be key for Las Palmas, providing both experience and motivation against their old club.
Historically, Barcelona has dominated this matchup, not losing to Las Palmas away from home since February 1991. Sports analysts are optimistic about Barcelona's chances, noting their superior offensive statistics: averaging nearly three goals per game on the road this season. With their current form and Las Palmas's recent struggles—having only won 6 out of their last 24 matches—many expect the Blaugrana to come away from this fixture with all three points.
"The Blaugrana are on fire, and they are determined to secure three points against Las Palmas to stay atop La Liga," reported by OneFootball.
While Barcelona looks to strengthen their title chase, Las Palmas is fighting for their survival as they aim to pull off another surprise. This matchup could be pivotal, as every point matters as the season approaches its conclusion. With pundits predicting high chances for Barcelona to score multiple goals, all eyes will be on the pitch this Saturday.