Two teams in disappointing form will lock horns in Spain's top flight on Saturday afternoon, with Las Palmas welcoming Villarreal to Estadio Gran Canaria.
Las Palmas were beaten 2-0 by Tenerife in the Copa del Rey last time out, while Villarreal were also eliminated from the competition on Monday courtesy of a penalty-shootout loss to Unionistas de Salamanca.
Match preview
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Having secured promotion back to La Liga as the 2022-23 Segunda Division runners-up, consolidating back in the top flight is Las Palmas' number one priority this term.
Any spot above 18th would therefore be considered a successful season, but the team have performed above expectations, boasting a record of seven wins, four draws and eight defeats from their 19 matches, which has left them in 10th spot in the table on 25 points.
Pio Pio are 10 points clear of the relegation zone and just three points behind seventh-placed Real Betis, but they will enter this match off the back of three straight losses in all competitions.
Indeed, Garcia Pimienta's side have been beaten in their last two league matches by Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona either side of the winter break, in addition to losing 2-0 to Tenerife in the Copa del Rey on Sunday.
Las Palmas actually beat Villarreal 2-1 in the reverse match earlier this season, but the visitors recorded a 2-0 victory when the two teams last locked horns at Estadio Gran Canaria in March 2018.
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Villarreal, meanwhile, were also surprisingly beaten in the last-32 stage of the Copa del Rey, losing on penalties to third-tier outfit Unionstas de Salamanca on Monday evening following a 1-1 draw.
The Yellow Submarine booked their spot in the last-16 stage of the Europa League towards the end of last year, though, so there is still a chance of cup success during the 2023-24 campaign.
Villarreal have found it difficult to show consistency in the league this season, boasting a record of five wins, four draws and 10 defeats from 19 matches, which has left them 13th in the table on 19 points.
Marcelino's side are some 19 points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, while they also sit 13 points from sixth-placed Real Sociedad, so success in the Europa League this season is likely to be their only way of playing European football during the 2024-25 campaign.
El Submarino Amarillo, who finished fifth in La Liga last season, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Valencia in their opening league match of 2024, with the visitors entering this clash off the back of successive losses at the start of the year.
Team News
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Las Palmas will again be missing Fabio Gonzalez due to an ankle problem, while Marvin Park and Munir El Haddadi are both doubts for the clash with Villarreal.
The home side will also be without the services of Daley Sinkgraven, with the midfielder sent off in the latter stages of the league clash with Barcelona on January 4.
Head coach Garcia Pimienta will make wholesale changes from the side that started in the Copa del Rey last time out, with Alberto Moleiro, Kirian Rodriguez, Sandro Ramirez and Javi Munoz among those set to return to the side.
As for Villarreal, Raul Albiol, Juan Foyth and Yeremy Pino are out of the contest through injury, while Aissa Mandi is away with Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Recent arrival Eric Bailly is also a doubt due to a hamstring problem, while both Alexander Sorloth and Denis Suarez will require late fitness tests on muscular issues.
Santi Comesana and Alex Baena will both return after missing the league game with Valencia last time out through suspension, and there is a chance that Francis Coquelin could be pressed into action in the middle of the defence due to the team's absentees in that area of the field.
Las Palmas possible starting lineup:
Valles; Suarez, Coco, Marmol, S Cardona; Munoz, Perrone, K Rodriguez; El Haddadi, Sandro, Moleiro
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Jorgensen; Alti, Coquelin, Cuenca, A Moreno; Parejo, Capoue, Comesana; Baena, G Moreno, Morales
We say: Las Palmas 1-1 Villarreal
Las Palmas have only lost two of their nine home league matches this season, conceding just seven times in the process. If Villarreal were in full flow, we would fancy the visitors to win here, but it is tough to back them at the moment, and we are not expecting Las Palmas to lose in front of their own fans.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
