Real Madrid will look to get back to winning ways when they get on the road to face an impressive Las Palmas side who have surprised quite a few this season and are in the 5th spot having acquired 9 points thus far. After a few initial weeks without the likes of Ronaldo and Benzema, they are back to almost full strength with the first team waiting for Keylor Navas to return from injury. Real are currently sitting on top of the league and are looking a far more settled and compact unit under Zinedine Zidane.
They have been abetted by the slight inconsistency in the Barca camp this season with Neymar returning late from National duty and Messi getting injured yesterday. As things stand, Real Madrid look like the real deal for winning the league this season. Barca no longer look like runaway winners in every match they start now as evidenced by the points they have already dropped this season. A shock loss against Alaves and last night’s draw against Atletico Madrid sees them in the 3rd spot having dropped 5 points already.
With the joy and the relief of winning the first ever major trophy for Portugal fresh in his system, Ronaldo looks possessed with a steely determination to add to the solitary La Liga trophy in his cabinet.
They will be wary of any slip ups against Las Palmas though as the unlikely event of them dropping points, will give another opportunity to Barcelona to close the gap on them.
T4O’S REAL MADRID PREDICTED LINE-UP VS LAS PALMAS (4-3-3)
DEFENCE
Kiko Casilla will continue to deputise for the absent first choice keeper, Keylor Navas. As against the smaller teams, his work-rate will be less but any slip-ups, when called upon, can prove to be costly. Dani Carvajal will be at right back and will look to spend most of his time in the opposition box. The centre-back pairing will consist of Sergio Ramos and Pepe who will continue their dominant partnership in the heart of the defence. Marcelo will again be at left-back and look to be his ultra-offensive self against Palmas.
MIDFIELD
With the settled midfield trio of Casemiro, Kroos and Modric disbanded due to the ankle injury to the former, Zidane will likely deploy Kroos in a slightly defensive role with Modric and James Rodriguez in front of him. Kovacic also presents an option.
ATTACK
The front three will expectedly be Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema and Gareth Bale with the likes of Vazquez, Asensio and Morata covering for them.
