Our football match prediction:
Barcelona
Match Time & Date:
14/01/2017
15:15 GMT
Prediction: 4-1
Las Palmas
Barcelona dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with Villarreal at the weekend. The Catalan giants do not seem capable of melting Real Madrid’s advantage in the La Liga standings and, as things stand now, the reigning champions are unlikely to defend their trophy. Luis Enrique’s men, though, should not give up on their title dream and we predict that the hosts will go all guns blazing at Las Palmas in Saturday’s football match. It is well known that Barca are a real force to be reckoned with at home and key attacker Leo Messi, who scored a wonder goal against Villarreal is likely to prove a handful for the opposition defenders. Las Palmas, on the other hand, are on a seven-game winless run on the road and los Amarillos are unlikely to spoil Barcelona’s party at Camp Nou. Neymar failed to impress against Villarreal, but Saturday’s game against Las Palmas could be the turning point for the Brazilian superstar.
Highlighted Player (Javier Mascherano):
Born in San Lorenzo, Argentina on 8 June, 1984 Javier Mascherano began his senior career at River Plate. After making 46 appearances for the Argentine outfit he joined Corinthians in 2005 and he played 17 league games for the Brazilian team. Mascherano moved to Europe in 2006 and despite being on Real Madrid’s and Barcelona’s radar, he signed a contract with West Ham United. The centre back, who is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder as well, played no more than five games for the Hammers in the Premier League and in 2007 he signed a contract with Liverpool. Three years later Mascherano joined Barcelona and he has been playing for the Catalan giants ever since. In 2016 he won his fourth La Liga trophy with Barca, making 32 league appearances for the club in the 2015/2016 campaign. The Argentine footballer won two Champions League trophies with Barcelona, in 2011 and in 2015. His contract with the Catalan outfit expires on 30 June, 2019.
Highlighted Team (Las Palmas):
Las Palmas are a Spanish football club based in the Canary Islands. The club was founded on 22 August, 1949. Los Amarillos play in Spanish La Liga and the team’s home ground is Estadio Gran Canaria. The stadium was opened in 2003 and it’s current capacity is 32,150. Miguel Angel Ramirez is the club’s chairman and the club’s main rivals are Tenerife. Las Palmas impressed in the 2015/2016 La Liga campaign, with the team finishing the season in 11th place in the standings. However, it has to be noted that los Amarillos finished the 1968/1969 Primera Division campaign in second place in the table, 11 points behind Spanish giants Real Madrid. Speaking of Copa del Rey, Las Palmas made it to the final of the Spanish Cup in 1978. Las Palmas eliminated Sporting Gijon in the semis (5-3), but Barcelona outplayed los Amarillos in the title game (3-1).
