Las Palmas vs Granada CF Prediction & Tips
We are still in September and perhaps it is too early to talk about “six-point duels” in LaLiga EA Sports (LL), but the clash between newly promoted UD Las Palmas and Granada CF seems to be one of them. The Canaries, with a near-zero offensive output – they are the club with the fewest goals scored (one) in the current championship – have yet to get past a draw on their return to the top flight, and are the only team alongside Almeria without a win after five games (E2, P3).
The 1-0 defeat at the Sánchez-Pizjuán last weekend once again highlighted the enormous difficulties UD Las Palmas are having in front of goal. Xavi García Pimienta’s side managed only two shots on target against Sevilla, a record they will be keen to improve on when they return to the Estadio de Gran Canaria, where they have at least scored in their two home games (E2). Without correcting the lack of finishing, it will be impossible for UDLP to achieve its first home win in the Spanish soccer elite since February 2018 (E3, P7 since then).
Las Palmas, an inauspicious place for Granada: the Nazaríes have not won on any of their visits to the Gran Canarian capital in the 21st century (E2, P3). Paco Lopez’s team, with only three points out of a possible 15 (G1, P4), will be looking to finally storm the yellow stadium after a shock defeat against Girona (GRA 2-4 GIR) in a match in which they were 3-0 down at half-time.
Granada will need to improve their away form to avoid immediate relegation to the silverware. The Nazarí side have been defeated in their two outings to date, conceding a whopping eight goals. Those defeats are part of an alarming run of seven official away matches in which Granada have managed just one win (G1, E1, P5). Defensive fragility is the most serious problem the rojiblancos must solve; Granada is one of the teams with the most goals conceded (16, 3.2 p. p.) in Europe’s big five leagues this season.
Players to watch: Jonathan Viera, scorer of UDLP’s only goal of the current league campaign, is good at Granada. The veteran island midfielder has scored/assisted 11 goals in nine appearances against the Granada club (G5, A6), including a goal and an assist in the clash between the two clubs in Las Palmas last season. Granada will be relying on Lucas Boyé’s scoring prowess, but the striker’s impact may be long overdue; seven of Boyé’s last eight goals have come in second halves.
Key stat: Fewer than 2.5 goals have been scored in 10 of UD Las Palmas’ last 11 league games.
Las Palmas – Granada CF FREE TIPS
BTS/YES @ 2.25
