La Liga preview and odds: Las Palmas vs. Villarreal

Published on: 24/10/2015

La Liga preview and odds: Las Palmas vs. Villarreal

October 25, 2015 16:00pm - Estadio Gran Canaria

La Liga

With their reverential new boss at the helm, struggling Las Palmas will be looking forward to facing a faltering Villarreal side at Estadio Gran Canaria on Sunday.

Quique Setién takes on Canary Island challenge

Just under a year ago, halfway through his sixth season with Spanish Segunda Division side CD Lugo, Quique Setien joked in an interview (via La Liga) that he was starting to feel like Alex Ferguson and was planning to buy a cemetery plot in the Galician town. Such was the mutual affection between the former Racing Santander boss, the club and its fans that it came as a huge surprise when he decided to move on at the end of last season.

Despite being linked with several clubs in the summer, the Cantabrian-born Coach remained jobless until last week when La Liga new boys UD Las Palmas dispensed with the services of Paco Herrera, following a run of three straight league defeats which left them joint-bottom of the table.

The new boss has never taken charge of a top flight team although he did lead Racing Santander to promotion from the Segunda Division in 2002 before being replaced in the summer by Manual Preciado. He also led Lugo to the second tier for only the second time in their history in 2012.

Las Palmas have won just a single game this season and now face a Villarreal side that have stumbled slightly after a strong start. At Lugo, Setién became known for playing a positive possession-based style of football, so the next few months could be an entertaining ride for fans of the Canary Island club.

Villarreal still in touch despite double blow

After a strong start to their league campaign, Villarreal have now slipped into fifth position following back-to-back defeats to Levante and Celta de Vigo. Had they beaten Los Celticos last weekend, they would have remained top of the table, but goals from Fabián Orellana and Nolito left them empty-handed at El Madrigal.

During that game, the Yellow Submarine were reduced to 10 men when defender Eric Bailly was sent off early in the second half. Despite that result, Marcelinos team are just two points behind the league leaders and will be keen to take advantage of a Las Palmas team that is stranded in the drop zone.

Team news

For the home side, Javi Castellano and Angel Lopez will be missing through injury, along with the suspended duo of Juan Emmanuel Culio and Mubarak Wakaso. Meanwhile, Antolín Alcaraz is still recovering and remains a doubt.

Goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo is still injured for the visitors, while Adrian, Bruno, Leo Baptisao and Musacchio are all on the doubtful list. Defender Eric Bailly will be missing through suspension following his dismissal against Celta.

Recent form (League)

Las Palmas: LLLWL

Villarreal: LLWWW

Betting odds and tips

Las Palmas will be hoping that their new Coach can give them a lift in front of their home crowd on Sunday, while the visitors will be keen to halt their two-game slide. League position dictates that the away side will start as favourites but they may face a very different Las Palmas style under the guidance of the new incumbent.

This should be an entertaining game between two forward-thinking sides and the stalemate looks like a good bet at 27/11 with Marathon Bet.

Published on: 24/10/2015

Any odds displayed within this preview were correct at the time of publishing (24/10/2015 12:15:10) but are subject to change.