Though their start to the season has been a slightly stuttering one, Real Madrid's 3-1 victory away at Celta de Vigo last weekend ensured they stayed joint-top of the table with Barcelona. They'll be looking to keep the pressure on with a win at home to newly-promoted Las Palmas on Saturday, in the first meeting between these sides in over a decade.
Real Madrid vs. Las Palmas 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Real Madrid will look to extend their stay at the top of the La Liga table with a win over Las Palmas on Saturday.
Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Las Palmas have unsurprisingly struggled on their long-awaited return to the top flight, and find themselves down in the relegation zone with just one win in their opening nine matches. It’s nigh-on impossible to envisage them turning things around away at the Bernabéu, and they may well be in damage limitation mode before the game has even kicked off. Anything other than a heavy defeat would be a pleasant surprise for the Canary Islanders.
Key player: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
Cristiano Ronaldo is enjoying a typically excellent season, and has capped it by overtaking Raúl and becoming Real Marid's all-time top scorer with 325 goals in all competitions. With seven La Liga goals he's only one adrift of the division's top scorer, Barcelona's Neymar, and it wouldn't at all be a shock to see Ronaldo adding a few notches to his tally on Saturday.
When they last met: Real Madrid 7-0 Las Palmas, Feb. 9, 2002
Spanish football was a very different beast when these sides last met in 2002. Real Madrid still managed to put seven past their visitors without reply (including an impressive five-goal haul from Fernando Morientes), but it didn't help them to title glory. They finished the season below both Valencia and Deportivo La Coruña, while Las Palmas were relegated by two points.
Real Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: Gareth Bale (calf). In doubt: Dani Carvajal (ankle); James Rodríguez (thigh); Álvaro Arbeloa (unspecified).
Las Palmas injuries and suspensions
Out: Antolín Alcaraz (calf); Javi Castellano, Ángel López (knee). In doubt: None.
Madrid’s injury problems have eased over the last couple of weeks, meaning their only certain absentee is Bale. He could be joined on the sidelines by right-backs Carvajal and Arbeloa, while midfielder James is still in doubt.
Las Palmas will certainly be without defenders Alcaraz and Ángel, as well as midfield anchorman Castellano, who will be out for the rest of the calendar year with a serious knee injury.
Match date/time: Sat., Oct. 31, 11 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English); beIN Sports en Español (US and Canada - Spanish)
Online: Fubo TV (US); beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada)
See More:
