Barcelona are coming into this match at the Camp Nou against Las Palmas with rage in their hearts and revenge on their minds. You see, Barca are reeling from a jaw-dropping 4-1 defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo, a match in which Iago Aspas, yes that Iago Aspas, scored a brace and Nolito ran wild out on the wing. They just didn’t look like Barcelona in that game, almost nothing like the nigh-unbeatable team that won the treble last year.
Barcelona vs. Las Palmas 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch La Liga online
Barcelona are reeling after being battered by Celta. La Liga newcomers Las Palmas look like the unfortunate recipients of their rage.
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Of course, they have an opportunity to bounce back in resounding fashion in this match, in which they face off with UD Las Palmas, one of the newly-promoted teams for this La Liga season. Despite once being a La Liga mainstay, this is Las Palmas’ first campaign in the top flight in 13 years, after being relegated was back in 2002 when the Canary Islands-based team finished 18th in what was then their second season back in Spain’s top division after 12 years away.
While that might look like a tasty snack for a wrathful Barcelona team to munch on, Los Amarillos did just beat Sevilla thanks to a strong performance from Sergio Araujo up front, grabbing both assists in Las Palmas’ 2-0 win over the Europa League champs and providing a regular goal threat himself. A certain amount of care will still need to be taken by Barcelona in this match -- but we all know by now that when Barcelona get mad, whoever they face tend to get beaten pretty bad.
Key factor -- Barcelona’s defense
Barcelona’s back line was, as a unit, absolutely awful against Celta. Dani Alves got torn to pieces, even worse than he has been in previous matches this season. Jeremy Mathieu had a nightmare at left back. Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano were almost turnstiles in the middle. It’s likely that we’ll see two or three changes in this unit for this match, but whoever starts will have to be much, much better for Barcelona fans to regain confidence in the unit, even if it is “just” Las Palmas that the Blaugrana are facing.
Key Matchup -- Jonathan Viera (Las Palmas) vs. Ivan Rakitic (Barcelona)
One of the two big attacking signings for Las Palmas this summer, Viera still has yet to score his first goal for his new team, though he’s been playing very well for los Amarillos this season. He’ll be eager to get that first tally, and with how much he drifts between the lines, Rakitic will be spending a lot of time tracking and following him. Rakitic was one of the key players rested for that shocking midweek loss, and he’ll be eager to put in a strong performance at both ends of the pitch to show the he would have made a difference in that game. Shutting Viera down would be a great start to that mission.
Barcelona injuries and suspensions
Out: Rafinha Alcantara (knee), Thomas Vermaelen (calf), Claudio Bravo (calf) In doubt: Jordi Alba (neck), Jeremy Mathieu (knock), Sandro Ramirez (leg)
Las Palmas injuries and suspensions
Out: Javi Castellano (unspecified)
Barcelona are still dealing with a number of injuries, and at positions that they just don’t have the depth to cope with them right now. Neither main left back option is at 100%, their top attacking reserve is out for the season, and one of their primary members of the rotation at center back is out. Thanks to a short rest and not much depth, Barcelona’s back line is going to have some awfully tired legs in it.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 10 a.m. ET, 4 p.m. local
Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. & Canada - English), beIN Sports en Español (U.S. & Canada - Spanish)
Online: Fubo TV, beIN Sports Connect (U.S. & Canada)
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