Real Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Almeria triggered widespread calls of collusion given the nature of their triumph.
Madrid shouldn’t have made such hard work of La Liga’s bottom-dwellers, but post-winter break fatigue meant they were forced to come from 2-0 behind and heavily reliant of questionable officiating to stage a comeback.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have struggled in recent outings, and Las Palmas will feast on Spain’s supreme force this weekend if they’re off the boil once again.
Here’s how Madrid could line up on the Canary Islands.
GK: Andriy Lunin – Lunin hasn’t been in the best of form in 2024, but he should still be preferred over Kepa Arrizabalaga on Saturday.
RB: Dani Carvajal – The right-back’s winner last Sunday failed to hit the headlines given the refereeing controversies that had preceded his strike.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – Ancelotti still only has two senior centre-back options to call upon. Rudiger is enjoying a superb season.
CB: Nacho Fernandez – The skipper’s availability has been up and down this term, but he’s currently injury free and not suspended. He’ll get the nod to partner Rudiger.
LB: Ferland Mendy – There had been some doubt as to who should be Madrid’s starting left-back moving forward. Mendy, while he may not be the guy for the long haul, is currently a better option than Fran Garcia.
DM: Eduardo Camavinga – Camavinga may be the best left-back at the club, but he’s also the best holding midfielder.
CM: Toni Kroos – The German has endured peaks and troughs this season, with his best work often saved for the big occasion, He could struggle in a game like this.
CM: Federico Valverde – If Kroos succumbs, Valverde will be key. The Uruguayan will meet fire with fire against an intense and compact Las Palmas outfit.
AM: Jude Bellingham – Space will be hard to come by in the middle of the park, so this will be about Bellingham’s box crashes. He started to take control of last weekend’s win in the second half, especially as Madrid pushed for a winner.
ST: Rodrygo – It’s been a quiet few weeks for Rodrygo, who seems to perform better in the absence of Vinicius.
ST: Vinicius Jr – Ancelotti, though, won’t be dropping Vinicius anytime soon. His ‘shouldered’ equaliser set Madrid on their way against Almeria.
