By Karl Matchett
Opposites and familiarities
Barcelona have discovered their groove once more. They stumbled and stuttered earlier than Christmas, however Hansi Flick has his facet again on cruise management in some matches, discovering high quality to discover a approach in others. Unquestionably there was a component of fortune final outing in opposition to Rayo Vallecano, however the finish result’s Barcelona on prime of the desk in LaLiga, toe to toe with the 2 Madrid golf equipment and – with solely 14 matches left to play now – barely forward within the title race.
It’s all very totally different for Las Palmas, aim distinction once more a decisive issue however this time retaining them not prime of the desk, however outdoors the relegation zone. The issue they face is that even during the last 5 matches, Valencia have managed a nine-point swing on them one spot decrease, whereas Leganés have earned 4 factors extra and sit one spot increased.
In kind phrases it merely doesn’t look as if something can cease Barcelona taking one other three factors and Las Palmas dropping one other match; soccer strikes in odd methods at odd instances although and a few outdated Camp Nou faces is perhaps taking a look at this fixture as an announcement one. At both finish of the pitch, Jasper Cillessen and Sandro Ramírez are keys for the islanders, and can need one other likelihood to indicate their outdated supporters that they nonetheless have the expertise they as soon as displayed in Catalunya.
Within the purple and within the inexperienced
Six defeats and one draw within the final seven doesn’t provide an excessive amount of hope for the hosts. A extra winnable run of video games lies past this one, however they haven’t stored a clear sheet this facet of Christmas and three wins at residence all season is way from supreme. Then again, 4 wins on the bounce for Barca in league play reveals they’re in effective fettle, rattling in 13 objectives in that point.
Group information
Scott McKenna is suspended for the house workforce, who can even be lacking Adnan Januzaj, Fábio Silva and Marc Cardona from their assault, plus midfielder Kirian Rodríguez. Lengthy-term absentees Andreas Christensen, Marc-André ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are the Barcelona gamers who stay MIA, however Marc Casadó and Dani Olmo can be found once more.
Key participant
With out going to the super-obvious decide of Robert Lewandowski, the highest scorer, it’s Raphinha’s all-round impression this yr which has stored Barcelona aggressive. He’s first within the squad for xA/90, possibilities and large possibilities created and penalties received, plus has 19 objectives or assists to his title. He ranks 96th percentile for possibilities created throughout Europe, 97th for photographs and 98th for objectives in his place – it’s been a scintillating return to kind for him in 2024/25 and he stays the most important all-over risk.
Prediction
No shocks or surprises, an away win and with a couple of objectives scored alongside the best way: Las Palmas 1 Barcelona 4.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You may observe each sport from LaLiga with FotMob this season — that includes deep stats protection, xG, and participant scores. Obtain the free app right here.