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Las Palmas
La Liga
Aug 30, 2015 at 9.30pm UK
 
Levante logo

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Preview: Las Palmas vs. Levante

Sports Mole looks ahead to Levante's La Liga visit to newly-promoted Las Palmas as both sides hunt a first win of the 2015-16 season.

Newly-promoted Las Palmas welcome Levante to Estadio Gran Canaria on Sunday as they look for their first Primera Division victory in 14 years.

Paco Herrera's side lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid on their return to the top flight last week, but beating the Granotes represents a much more realistic task for the minnows.


Las Palmas

Head coach Francisco Herrera of UD Las Palmas gives instructions during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and UD Las Palmas at Vicente Calderon Stadium on August 22, 2015© Getty Images

Despite Gran Canaria being a popular destination for thousands of holidaymakers each summer, leisure will give way to business for its flagship football team on Sunday as Las Palmas prepare for their first home game as a top-flight club once more following a 14-year absence.

By virtue of the fact that Herrera's men are odds-on favourites to be one of three teams relegated come May, it could be argued that the newly-promoted Amarillos are not expected to continue brushing shoulders with Spain's elite for very long.

Having won promotion via the playoffs following victories over Valladolid and Real Zaragoza, Las Palmas have certainly earned their right to grace the top flight.

Furthermore, they did enough in last week's 1-0 defeat away to 2014 Liga champions Atletico Madrid to suggest that their status as also-rans may be premature.

Antoine Griezmann's deflected free kick proved the difference between the Liga new boys and Atleti in a tight contest that saw the visitors waste a number of promising chances to equalise.

At this level, a killer instinct - or lack of, as was seen at the Vicente Calderon - could be decisive in whether or not they defy their label as relegation candidates.

Victory against Levante could be even more important considering the fact that their visitors survived by just two points last time around, and could find themselves in the dogfight again this term.

Recent league form: L


Levante

Levante's players celebrate after scoring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs Valencia CF at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 23, 2014.© Getty Images

With Simao being sent off within five minutes of last week's 2-1 defeat at home to Celta Vigo, it would be fair to say that Levante's Primera Division curtain-raiser could have gone better.

The Mozambique international let his emotions get the better of him as he saw red for a stamp on Iago Aspas to give Lucas Alcaraz's men a steep mountain to climb - one they failed to negotiate.

Fabian Orellana then opened the scoring before the break, but Verza threw the 10 men a lifeline, before Aspas had the last laugh with a winner on 78 minutes.

For a team who survived relegation by only two points last season, it was a dreadful way in which to begin a campaign that, in truth, must prove better than their fortunes in 2014-15.

Losing to Celta seemed a mere continuation to the abysmal end-of-season form that almost saw them relegated, with Alcaraz's men losing two and drawing two of their last four outings of last season.

It was as if an entire summer had not happened and Alcaraz will be desperate to see a big response for the trip to Gran Canaria.

Recent league form: D


Team News

Gareth Bale (R) of Real Madrid CF competes for the ball with Simao Mate Junios (L) of Levante UD during tha La Liga match on March 15, 2015© Getty Images

Las Palmas midfielder Emmanuel Culio is expected to return on Sunday after sitting out their opener at Atletico through suspension.

Veteran defender Angel Lopez is expected to miss out again as he continues to struggle with a knee injury.

Elsewhere, striker Sergio Araujo will spearhead the hosts' forward line as he looks for his first top-flight goal, having netted 25 last term.

Meanwhile, Levante midfielder Simao serves the first game of his suspension following his early red card in the defeat to Celta.

Las Palmas possible starting lineup:
Raul; Bigas, Alcaraz, Aythami, David; D Castellano, J Castellano, Hernan, Roque, Viera; Araujo

Levante possible starting lineup:
Ruben; Lopez, Tono, Navarro, Juanfran; Trujillo, Camarasa, Verza, Mari; Ghilas, Deyverson


Head To Head

Ominously for the hosts, it has been 15 years since Las Palmas managed a victory over Levante - a 2-1 Segunda Division win in 2000. The pair have faced off on eight occasions since, with Sunday's visitors winning four and drawing four. The Gran Canarians have won three from their 14 meetings overall, with two of those coming in home games.


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We say: Las Palmas 2-1 Levante

With David Simon and Aythami Artiles both spurning gilt-edged chances for Las Palmas at the Vicente Calderon, Herrera's men would have come away from the capital with a point on another day. Nevertheless, those near misses gives them reason for optimism and we reckon that they will pick up a first win this weekend.



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