Las Palmas will host Villareal in La Liga on Saturday with both teams in dismal form. Tenerife defeated Las Palmas 2-0 in the Copa del Rey last time out. Villarreal lost to Unionistas de Salamanca in penalties on Monday.
Preview (Las Palmas vs. Villarreal)
Las Palmas prioritizes regaining their place in the top flight above all else this season. The club has performed above expectations, with a record of seven wins, four draws, and eight losses. It placed them in 10th place in the standings with 25 points. Therefore, any position above 18th would be considered a successful season. Pio Pio is only three points behind Real Betis in seventh place and ten points clear of the relegation zone. They will be coming off three straight losses across all competitions going into this game.
Garcia Pimienta’s team lost to Tenerife 2-0 in the Copa del Rey on Sunday. They have suffered defeats to Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona in their last two league games played. The two teams met at Estadio Gran Canaria in March 2018, the visitors prevailed 2-0. Las Palmas defeated Villarreal 2-1 in the rematch earlier in the season. Surprisingly, Villarreal was also defeated in the Copa del Rey last-32 stage. They fell to Unionstas de Salamanca, a third-tier team, on penalties on Monday night after a 1-1 draw.
Towards the close of the previous year, the Yellow Submarine secured their place in the Europa League’s last-16 round, therefore there is still a potential for cup victory in the 2023–24 campaign. With five wins, four draws, and ten losses from 19 games, Villarreal has struggled to be consistent in the league this year. With 19 points, they are now ranked 13th in the standings. The visitors came into this encounter fresh off back-to-back losses.
Team News
Due to an ankle injury, Fabio Gonzalez will miss Las Palmas’ match against Villarreal once more. Munir El Haddadi and Marvin Park are also concerns. Daley Sinkgraven, a midfield player, was sent off in the closing minutes of the home team’s league match against Barcelona on January 4. The team that began the Copa del Rey match last time out will see significant changes under head coach Garcia Pimienta. Among the players expected to return are Alberto Moleiro, Kirian Rodriguez, Sandro Ramirez, and Javi Munoz. Regarding Villarreal, Issa Mandi is traveling with Algeria, and injured players Raul Albiol, Juan Foyth, and Yemmy Pino are not participating in the match.
Due to a hamstring injury, Eric Bailly, a recent addition, is also doubtful, and Denis Suarez and Alexander Sorloth will need to have late fitness tests due to muscular problems. Due to the team’s absences in that part of the field, Santi Comesana and Alex Baena will both be back after missing the league match against Valencia the last time out due to suspension.
Las Palmas 1-1 Villarreal
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