Competition: Spanish La Liga 2016-17
Date: 1st March, 20:30
Stadium: Santiago Bernabeu
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Real Madrid vs Las Palmas Preview and Prediction
Las Palmas are very poor travellers and not in great form so it’s hard to see this game ending in anything other than a relatively comfortable home win.
Real Madrid staged a dramatic comeback at Villarreal on Sunday to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win and that final half-hour may prove to be simply massive in terms of their title aspirations. They returned to the top as a result and should have little trouble backing that up here with another 3 points. Los Blancos have won 83% of their home games in La Liga this term and have the best home record in the league with 2.67 points per game on average.
The return from injury of Gareth Bale has certainly helped as has the form of Alvaro Morata. He has given them a valid alternative to Karim Benzema, which they haven’t always had in recent seasons, and the Spaniard has popped up with some important late goals. He netted the winner on Sunday at Villarreal and has 3 goals in his last 6 outings, two of which were the final goals in the game. He’ll be hoping for a start from the off here but should at least feature from the bench again so backing Morata to score last at 10/3 could be a decent punt.
Las Palmas made what looked like some good signings in January, including the capture of former Real Madrid man Jese. He’s struggled to make an impact though and the Gran Canaria side are on a 4 game losing steak coming into this game. They’ve been fairly awful away all season. They’ve taken just 0.45 points per game on their travels and have lost 73% of their away games in La Liga. Only Granada have picked up fewer points away and with a defensive record of 2.18 goals conceded per away game, you have to worry for Las Palmas here.
Overall this should be a relative stroll in the park for Los Blancos. Their 60 league goals have been evenly split between the 1st and 2nd Half. They’ve been leading at Half Time in 58% of their home games and have gone on to extend that lead in most of those games and against out-of-form opponents, backing Real Madrid to win both halves at 4/5 looks to offer value.
HEAD TO HEAD
The sides drew 2-2 on Gran Canaria earlier this season. Real Madrid have won their last three home games against Las Palmas by an aggregate score of 15-2.
REAL MADRID VS LAS PALMAS STATS
There have been over 2.5 goals in 78% of Real Madrid games this term and 64% of Las Palmas away games. Real have scored 2.61 goals per game on average. Las Palmas are yet to keep an away clean sheet.
Real Madrid vs Las Palmas Prediction: over 3.5 goal
