Real Madrid vs Las Palmas: Preview, predictions and lineups


Real Madrid will be aiming for a third straight win in La Liga when they host Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.

Since returning from the winter break, Los Blancos have been busy, splitting their playing time between La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana. The latter saw them travel to Saudi Arabia to win silver but suffer a crushing 5-2 defeat Clasico Rivals Barcelona in the final left a sour taste at the start of the new year.

Madrid returned to winning ways against Celta Vigo on Thursday evening, albeit unconvincingly. They needed extra time to claim a 5-2 win in the Copa del Rey, with the oft-criticised Endrick starring as they reached the quarter-finals.

On Sunday they continue their La Liga title defense as they face Las Palmas. The Canary Islands team is currently in the bottom half of the table having lost both games in 2025, with Madrid prepared to take advantage and keep pace with neighbors Atlético Madrid in the race for the title.

Here is 90 minutes Guide to Madrid vs Las Palmas.

Head-to-head record between Real Madrid and Las Palmas (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

real Madrid

Las Palmas

Real Madrid 5-2 Celta Vigo (AET) – 01/16/25

Las Palmas – Getafe 1-2 – 12/01/25

Real Madrid 2-5 Barcelona – 12/01/25

Elche – Las Palmas 4-0 – 01/05/25

Real Madrid – Mallorca 3-0 – 09/01/25

Las Palmas – Espanyol 1-0 – 12/22/24

Deportivo Minera 0-5 Real Madrid – 06/01/25

Real Sociedad 0-0 Las Palmas – 12/15/24

Valencia – Real Madrid 1:2 – 03/01/25

Las Palmas – Real Valladolid 2-1 – 07/12/24

country

TV channel/live stream

United Kingdom

First sports player, LaLigaTV

United States

ESPN+, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes, fuboTV

Canada

TSN+

Vinicius Junior

Vinicius Junior is suspended / Diego Souto/GettyImages

Madrid will be without winger Vinicius Junior on Sunday due to suspension after the Brazilian was sent off in the first La Liga game of the calendar year against Valencia. Luka Modric is also serving a match ban after picking up five yellow cards.

Carlo Ancelotti will make changes to the side that endured 120 grueling minutes against Celta Vigo in midweek and left-back Fran Garcia could be unavailable for selection due to injury in the Copa del Rey triumph.

Eduardo Camavinga is another new name in the treatment room with a hamstring injury, while Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are out for the season.

Expected Real Madrid line-up against Las Palmas (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Diaz; Mbappe.

Dario Essugo (UD Las Palmas) in action during the...

Dario Essugo is also suspended / SOPA Images/GettyImages

Viti and Daley Sinkgraven will both miss Sunday, and Las Palmas coach Diego Martinez will also be without Dario Essugo as the midfielder is suspended after a total of five La Liga bookings.

Jose Campana and Marvin Park could both miss the trip but have not been definitively ruled out.

Curiously, two Scotland internationals could feature for Los Amarillos at the Bernabeu, with Oliver McBurnie and Scott McKenna both representing the club.

Predicted lineup of Las Palmas against Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Cillessen; Herzog, Suarez, McKenna, Marmol; Loiodice, Rodriguez; Januzaj, Munoz, Moleiro; Silva.

Madrid have been less than convincing for much of the season, but they should have more than enough firepower to conquer Las Palmas. Despite Vinicius’ absence, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham should easily carry the scoring and creative burden at the Bernabeu.

Although Las Palmas secured a surprise away win at Barcelona earlier this season, they seem unlikely to repeat their heroics on Sunday. They are among the top scorers in the bottom half and will be hoping for chances to break through Madrid’s defence, but their own defensive problems mean they are likely to be soundly beaten in the capital.

Prediction: Real Madrid – Las Palmas 3:1

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