Barcelona travel to the Canary Islands in search of a positive reset to the 23/24 season.
The Catalan giants would've been absolutely grateful for the Christmas break. It was a stuttering end to 2023 for Xavi's side who suffered from indiscipline and poor concentration for most of the season so far. Their final outing saw them barely overcome bottom placed Almeria, thanks to Captain Roberto's heroics in the second half. As defending champions, it's safe to say they've performed below expectations so far, in the league at least. Being able to top their UCL group and move to the next stage is a huge positive and shouldn't be underrated.
They currently sit at 4th in the table, and will have to put out a perfect showing against a vibrant Las Palmas in order to kickstart the year.
The visitors might've been underwhelming so far this season, but the opposite is the case for the home side. Following a shaky start to the season, Garcia Pimienta's side have endured a consistent run that puts them in the top ten in Spain currently. They don't score many goals, but their defensive resilience and eye catching football have made the newly promoted team one of the most surprising sides in La Liga this season. They might've ended 2023 with a narrow defeat away to Athletic Club, but they are presently 7 points away from the European spots, which puts them in a great position to avoid a relegation battle. It will be a special game for a few members of the squad, their coach included, who have donned the Blaugrana jersey once upon a time.
INTERESTING STATS
- Barcelona have failed to win four of their last five La Liga games away from home (D4).
- Las Palmas are on a three-game unbeaten streak at home in La Liga.
- Both teams have scored in four of Barcelona’s last five La Liga road matches.
- Las Palmas have scored at least two goals in three of their last five La Liga home games.
- Barcelona have conceded 21 goals in 18 La Liga games this season.
- Las Palmas have lost only one of their last eight matches at home in La Liga, with their only such defeat during this period coming by a 1-0 margin against Rayo Vallecano in October last year.
- Las Palmas have the second best defence in the league. They've conceded 15 so far.
Last five meetings (all la Liga)
01/03/18 Las Palmas 1-1 Barça
01/10/17 Barça 3-0 Las Palmas
14/05/17 Las Palmas 1-4 Barça
14/01/17 Barça 5-0 Las Palmas
20/02/16 Las Palmas 1-2 Barça
TEAM NEWS
UD Las Palmas
Alberto Moleiro and Fabio Gonzalez will be unavailable due to shoulder and ankle injuries respectively.
Equatorial Guinea defender Saul Coco will play his final game before traveling for the upcoming African Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast. Barça loanne Julian Araujo has impressed in the Canary Islands, but the fear clause prevents him from featuring here, so Alex Suarez will take his place alongside Coco, Marmol and Cardona to complete the defense and shield Alex Valles in goal.
Maximo Perrone, Javier Munoz and Kirian Rodriguez will form the midfield. Upfront, Sandro Ramirez and Marvin Park will team up with striker Munir El Haddadi, who has only one La Liga goal to his name so far this season.
Barcelona
Xavi will have to make do without Pedri, Gavi, TerStegen, Alonso and Iñigo Martinez, though the latter will be available for the Copa del Rey game on Sunday. The good news is Vitor Roque has been registered in time and he makes the list. CB Pau Cubrasi, RB Hector Font, GKs Ander Astralaga and Diego Kochen from the B team make the squad list as well.
Iñaki Pena will continue to deputize in goal. Ronald Araujo, Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen are available for selection, along with Alejandro Balde and João Cancelo. Midfield options include Gündoghan, Frenkie Dejong, Fermin Lopez, Sergi Roberto and Oriol Romeu. Romeu has been underwhelming to say the least and will likely start from the bench.
Options in attack include Robert Lewandowski, João Felix, Raphinha, Ferran Torres, Lamine Yamal and of course, Vitor Roque. Lack of clinical finishing has been the team's undoing this season, with a whopping 95 big chances missed so far, according to WhoScore. They'll really need to do better in 2024.
Where and when are Las Palmas vs Barcelona playing?
Location: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Stadium: Estadio de Gran Canaria
Date: Thursday 4 January
Kick-off Time: 20:30 GMT / 15:30 ET / 12:30 PT
Referee: Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes
VAR: Mario Melero Lopez
Las Palmas have enjoyed a great start to the top flight and have a lot going for them at the moment. But a huge test awaits them in the form of a Barcelona side whose teeth and ambitions are bared. 2023 ushered in a new Barcelona mid-season, perhaps 2024 will do the same. Be prepared.