Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
An eagerly-awaited game between Las Palmas and Villarreal will open Saturday’s program in the La Liga round 20. La Union Deportiva are on a three-game losing run in all competitions and they must be low on confidence following the Canary Islands derby defeat to Tenerife. Defender Julian Araujo returns to the starting XI after he was ineligible to face Barcelona in the last league match, whereas midfielder Daley Sinkgraven misses out through suspension.
The Yellow Submarine, on the other hand, aim to recover from a shocking Copa del Rey loss to lower-league side Unionistas. As Las Palmas are tough to beat at home, we believe that punters from all around the globe can find value in betting on draw. Experienced defender Raul Albiol has joined the likes of Juan Foyth, Yeremi Pino, and Deniz Suarez in Villarreal’s recovery room, while towering Norway striker Alexander Sorloth has overcome his injury. Defender Aissa Mandi is on international duty.
Highlighted Player (Aissa Mandi):
Aissa Mandi is a product of Reims’ youth school. After playing eight matches for Reims II in the 2009/2010 season, he started playing for the first team in 2010. Mandi made his Reims debut against Le Havre on 20 August, 2010 and he remained at Stade Auguste Delaune until 30 June, 2016, when he decided to join Spanish side Real Betis.
The Algeria international, who was born in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, signed a five-year contract with los Beticos which expires on 30 June, 2021. His main position is centre back, but he is capable of playing as a full back as well. The right-footed defender made his Algeria debut on 5 March, 2014 and he helped the Algerian national team keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Slovenia.
Mandi impressed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but he scored his first goal for Algeria in a 3-3 draw with Ethiopia in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He represented Algeria at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as well.
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).