Preview: Real Madrid – Las Palmas

After competing in four fixtures in cup tournaments, Real Madrid will continue their La Liga title pursuit engaged in a fierce contest with city adversaries Atlético. Los Blancos start the weekend one point behind the peak and with egos still wounded from a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup, but this encounter with Las Palmas offers the perfect chance to restore some morale.

That’s because Real are unbeaten in all 35 top-tier H2Hs on home ground (W30, D5) – a historic La Liga record number of home encounters for any team against one rival without enduring a single loss. When one considers that Carlo Ancelotti’s squad has triumphed in 15 of their last 17 home league matches (D1, L1), recording 12 clean sheets in the process, there’s little astonishment they’ll begin in the capital as strong favourites.

Travelling Las Palmas don’t seem optimally positioned to defy the odds after enduring consecutive defeats across two contests. Their 2-1 loss to Getafe last round leaves the Yellows at risk of dropping back-to-back La Liga fixtures under Diego Martínez for the first time, but his uplifting influence means they commence the weekend with a six-point margin to the relegation zone.

While the Santiago Bernabéu is one of the most intimidating arenas in world football, Las Palmas at least undertake the trip with impressive away form behind them (W5, D1, L2). That run includes a notable victory at Barcelona, but Martínez may not be certain of duplicating the feat against their Clásico rivals as he’s lost all six La Liga touchline encounters with Los Blancos in La Liga. Only Mauricio Pochettino has experienced more such losses at a 100% rate (seven).

Players to observe: Real Madrid’s Brahim Díaz typically reserves his best displays for the Bernabéu, directly contributing to six goals in his last seven La Liga games there (G3, A3). Las Palmas’ recent attacking struggles may clear the path for Adnan Januzaj to make just his fourth league start of the season after he netted within a minute of coming off the bench in his last appearance.

Key stat: Real Madrid have earned the most penalties (eight) and allowed the fewest (none) in La Liga this campaign.

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