Tricky task as Real Madrid visit Las Palmas

Madrid, March 12: Real Madrid face a potentially complicated football game when they travel to the Cary Islands to play a confident Las Palmas in La Liga on Sunday night.

If morale in the Madrid camp is high following three wins in three games after the painful defeat at home against Atletico Madrid which ended their league title hopes, Las Palmas have also seen a resurgence in form, reports Xinhua.

Quique Setien’s side has also won three consecutive matches to climb away from the relegation zone, beating Eibar, Getafe and last week taking a merited win away to high-flying Villarreal to move four points clear of the relegation zone.

They have done that in style as well, with only Barcelo producing more passes in recent games, proof of Setien’s desire for his side to survive by playing good attacking football.

It will be tougher against a Real Madrid side which needs to maintain domestic form in order to provide a springboard for their challenge in the Champions League after qualifying for the quarter-fils on Tuesday night.

Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane is likely to make some changes to the team which suffered before beating Roma 2-0, with Lucas Vazquez coming back into the starting 11 after his decisive appearance in midweek.

Gareth Bale will also be in the starting 11, while Cristiano Roldo continues to lead the attack. Casimiro looks likely to retain his place in the side where his tough tackling provides stability in front of the defence, which the more attack minded Tony Kroos is uble to provide.

Dani Carvajal, who was rested in midweek, will replace Danilo at right back, while Pepe is likely to step down to allow Rafael Varene to start.

During a week that the English Premier League (EPL) announced a cap on prices for travelling fans, ticket costs in Las Palmas should come into focus given that the cheapest ticket for non-season ticket holders has been priced at 90 euros for the game, but despite that high cost the Insular Stadium will be packed for a game which could either confirm Las Palmas’ escape from trouble or Madrid’s return to form. IANS