Las Palmas vs Real Madrid Preview & Odds
La Liga’s Best Defenses Face Off
European Dream Alive for Upstart Las Palmas
UD Las Palmas had the best defense in the Segunda Division last season, but it was unclear how that would translate to La Liga. So far, they’ve put together the second-best defensive record in the top flight this season. Only Real Madrid has conceded fewer goals and on Saturday upstart Las Palmas host Los Blancos. In our Las Palmas vs Real Madrid preview, we’ll closely examine the over/under goal total and the other significant betting lines.
Las Palmas vs Real Madrid
Location: Estadio Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Day/Time:
Streaming: Watch Live Sports
Palmas vs Real Madrid Preview
On these teams’ La Liga schedules, Las Palmas are winless in their last eight matches vs. Real Madrid. Las Palmas vs Real Madrid previews note that Las Palmas last defeated Los Blancos in 2001. Real Madrid took down Las Palmas 2-0 earlier this season as Brahim Diaz and Joselu got on the scoresheet. Bettors should note that Las Palmas haven’t scored in any of their last three games vs. Real, but last September’s meeting was the first since 2018.
Las Palmas Keep Another Clean Sheet
Las Palmas have kept consecutive La Liga shutouts and defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-0 last Saturday. Alberto Moleiro capitalized on Rayo keeper Stole Dimitrievski’s mistake to score in the 35th minute. Las Palmas got some breathing room when Javi Muñoz helped on a Sergi Cardona cross into the back of the net. It was Las Palmas keeper Alvaro Valles’s sixth clean sheet of the season.
Bettors should note that Las Palmas haven’t conceded more than two goals in any game this season. They’ve conceded two goals in just two La Liga fixtures this season. Real Madrid and Barcelona are the only teams to score twice vs. Las Palmas this season. On the other end of the pitch, Kirian Rodriguez is the only Las Palmas player to score more than two league goals this season.
Even though every other team in the top half has scored more goals than Las Palmas, they’ve still compiled a 9-4-8 record this season. Las Palmas haven’t played in European competition since the 1977-78 season, but they’ve got a real shot at qualifying for Europe next season. Bettors should be aware defender Julian Araujo is suspended for this match, while fellow defender Saul Coco is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Equatorial Guinea.
Real Madrid Pull Off Controversial Comeback
Supercopa de España champions Real Madrid lost to rivals Atletico Madrid last week in the Copa del Rey round of 16. In the match immediately following the 4-2 extra-time loss, Real conceded to last-placed Almeria within a minute. Los Blancos fell behind 2-0 just before halftime as Almeria’s Edgar Gonzalez sent a stunning strike into the top corner. Real Madrid got a goal back in the 57th minute as Jude Bellingham converted a penalty.
Controversy followed as Almeria had a goal called back for a foul in the build-up, and Vinicius Jr. equalized for Real Madrid on what appeared to be a handball. After it was initially ruled out, the referee confirmed a goal. In an incredibly dramatic match, Bellingham provided a stoppage time headed assist for Dani Carvajal to score the winner. Despite the 3-2 victory, Real Madrid has conceded in their last five matches, in all competitions.
Bellingham tops the list of La Liga top scorers, with 14 goals, but he’ll miss Saturday’s match due to a suspension. Rodrygo and Vini will be essential for Los Blancos in Bellingham’s absence. Recall that Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Eder Militao are all out due to ACL injuries.
Las Palmas vs Real Madrid: Match Analysis & Odds
UD Las Palmas vs Real Madrid previews note that Las Palmas matches have averaged the fewest number of goals in the league this season. Their matches have finished with just 1.8 goals on average, while Real Madrid have conceded just 13 La Liga goals all season. However, Real does have a couple of crucial defenders out, and they’ve looked a bit shaky at the back in recent weeks.
Here, over 2.5, 3 goals come in at -120 odds, and Real have averaged two goals per game in their last five La Liga matches. The reverse fixture is the only team Las Palmas has lost by more than a one-goal margin all season. Here, Las Palmas +1, +1.5 displays -120 odds as they’ve compiled a 5-3-2 home record this campaign. Meanwhile, Real Madrid -1, -1.5 sits at even odds.
Las Palmas are +655 underdogs for Saturday’s match, while Real Madrid are -225 favorites. A draw is priced at +375 odds, and Real has drawn just three times in 20 matches this season. Even without Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti has a world-class midfield, and Luka Modric, who sat last weekend, can easily slot in.
For La Liga betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
