90min
·18 Januari 2025
90min
·18 Januari 2025
Real Madrid are searching for a third consecutive La Liga victory on Sunday afternoon when they welcome Las Palmas to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Los Blancos have been busy since returning from the winter break, divvying up their time between La Liga, Copa del Rey and Supercopa de Espana action. The latter saw them them travel to Saudi Arabia seeking silverware but a bruising 5-2 defeat to Clasico rivals Barcelona in the final has left a sour taste at the beginning of the new year.
Madrid returned to winning ways against Celta Vigo on Thursday night, albeit unconvincingly. They needed extra-time to earn a 5-2 victory in the Copa del Rey, with the often criticised Endrick starring as they reached the quarter-finals.
Sunday sees them continue the defence of their title in La Liga as they face a visit from Las Palmas. The Canary Islands outfit are currently in the bottom half of the table and have lost both their matches in 2025, with Madrid primed to take advantage and keep pace with neighbours Atletico Madrid in the race for the title.
Here is 90min's guide to Madrid vs Las Palmas.
Vinicius Junior is suspended / Diego Souto/GettyImages
Madrid will be without talismanic winger Vinicius Junior on Sunday due to suspension, with the Brazilian sent off in Madrid's opening La Liga match of the calendar year against Valencia. Luka Modric is also serving a one-game ban after accumulating five yellow cards.
Carlo Ancelotti will be making changes from the team that endured 120 gruelling minutes against Celta Vigo midweek and left-back Fran Garcia could be unavailable for selection after sustaining an injury during the Copa del Rey triumph.
Eduardo Camavinga is another new name in the treatment room with a hamstring issue, while Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are out for the season.
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs Las Palmas (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Vazquez, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Diaz; Mbappe.
Dario Essugo is suspended, too / SOPA Images/GettyImages
Viti and Daley Sinkgraven will both miss Sunday's affair and Las Palmas manager Diego Martinez will also be without Dario Essugo, with the midfielder suspended after accumulating five La Liga bookings.
Jose Campana and Marvin Park could both miss the trip but have not been ruled out definitively.
Bizarrely, two Scotland internationals could feature for Los Amarillos at the Bernabeu, with Oliver McBurnie and Scott McKenna both representing the club.
Las Palmas predicted lineup vs Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Cillessen; Herzog, Suarez, McKenna, Marmol; Loiodice, Rodriguez; Januzaj, Munoz, Moleiro; Silva.
Madrid have been far from convincing for much of the campaign but they should have more than enough firepower to conquer Las Palmas. Despite Vinicius' absence, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham should carry the goalscoring and creative burden with ease at the Bernabeu.
Las Palmas did secure a shock victory away at Barcelona earlier this season but appear unlikely to repeat their heroics on Sunday. They're one of the bottom half's top scorers and will fancy their chances of breaching the Madrid defence, but their own backline issues mean they will likely be well beaten in the capital.