Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they continue their domestic campaign with a home fixture against Las Palmas on Saturday afternoon.
Hansi Flick's side have only picked up one point from their last two league matches, but they sit top of the La Liga table, four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, while Las Palmas are 17th, two points outside of the relegation zone.
Match preview
Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona celebrates during his side's Champions League match against Brest, on November 26, 2024© Imago
Barcelona have just had a slight wobble in La Liga of late, losing 1-0 to Real Sociedad on November 10, before incredibly dropping two points in the latter stages of their contest with Celta Vigo last weekend.
Flick's side were two goals ahead and cruising in Vigo, but Marc Casado was sent off in the 82nd minute before Celta netted twice in the final exchanges to secure a point in a 2-2 draw, and Barcelona's lead at the summit is no longer comfortable.
The Catalan side remain top of the division, four points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, but the reigning champions have a game in hand, demonstrating the importance of returning to winning ways this weekend.
Barcelona will enter this match off the back of a positive result,beating Brest 3-0 in the Champions League on Tuesday night, with the result leaving them third in the overall table, three points behind leaders Liverpool.
The hosts have won all five of their league games in front of their own fans this season, and they will be welcoming a Las Palmas outfit that have been beaten in five of their seven La Liga fixtures on their travels.
Barcelona have another six matches before the winter break in Spain kicks into action, including a standout Champions League clash away to Borussia Dortmund and a home La Liga affair with Atletico Madrid.
Las Palmas' Alberto Moleiro in action on August 11, 2024© Imago
Las Palmas have not beaten Barcelona in any competition since February 1991, while they have not managed to overcome the Catalan side in La Liga since February 1986, which proved to be a 3-0 success on home soil.
Los Amarillos have not beaten Barcelona away from home in La Liga since September 1971, which is an indication of the size of their task in this match, but Pio Pio have been victorious in four of their last six matches in all competitions.
Diego Martinez has had a positive impact since being appointed head coach at the start of October, winning four of his six games, with that form moving the team out of the relegation zone, but a tough season to date has left them in 17th, just two points above 18th-placed Valencia, who have two games in hand.
Las Palmas will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 defeat to Mallorca, with Johan Mojica coming up with the winner in the 91st minute of the entertaining fixture.
La Union Deportiva finished 16th in La Liga last term to make it back-to-back campaigns at this level, and they are aiming to secure a third straight season in the top flight for the first time since 2018.
Barcelona La Liga form:
Barcelona form (all competitions):
Las Palmas La Liga form:
Las Palmas form (all competitions):
Team News
Barcelona's Lamine Yamal reacts on October 26, 2024© Imago
Barcelona are expected to receive a huge fitness boost for Saturday's contest, with Lamine Yamal in line to return from an ankle issue; the 17-year-old has missed his side's last three matches through injury, but he is now back in full training and is set to return to the side for the clash with Las Palmas.
Ferran Torres is also likely to be back in the squad, but Ronald Araujo is not yet taking part in full training, so the Uruguay international is again expected to miss out alongside Ansu Fati, Marc Bernal, Andreas Christensen and Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Casado is also out of this contest through suspension following his late red card against Celta, which should open the door for Frenkie de Jong to feature in the middle of midfield.
Gavi's fitness is still being monitored due to the length of his recent absence, so the Spaniard is again likely to receive minutes off the bench on Saturday afternoon.
As for Las Palmas, Martinez had a fully-fit squad against Mallorca last time out, and that is again expected to be the case on Saturday, with no fresh issues being reported.
There are unlikely to be any major surprises when it comes to the Las Palmas XI, with Sandro Ramirez in line to face his former club, while Manu Fuster should also retain his spot in a forward area.
Fabio Silva has scored three times in his last five La Liga appearances and will continue in the final third of the field, with Jaime Mata, Alberto Moleiro and Oli McBurnie all likely to start on the bench.
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Las Palmas possible starting lineup:
Cillessen; Rozada, Suarez, McKenna, Munoz; Essugo, Campana; Sandro, K Rodriguez, Fuster; F Silva
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We say: Barcelona 2-0 Las Palmas
It is difficult to ignore Las Palmas' recent record against Barcelona when picking a result here, and we are struggling to see anything other than a routine success for Flick's side, especially considering their recent blip in Spain's top flight.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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