Is it going to be “las palmas mi calmas” for Blaugranes supporters on Thursday night? Or will the trip to UD Las Palmas provide even more anxiety within the fanbase for how the season has gone thus far? The visit to the island club could mark the first minutes in a FC Barcelona shirt for new addition Vitor Roque, and the return from injury for Inigo Martinez. The central defender is nearing full recovery from his hamstring problem.
Regarding Roque, the 18-year-old forward, who moved over from Campeonato Brasileiro Série A club Athletico Paranaense, this winter window, scored in his Barca training debut.
FC Barcelona at Las Palmas FYIs
Kickoff: Thurs. Jan. 3, 20:00 CET, Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain
Barca Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction
La Liga Standing, Form: Las Palmas 9th 25 pts, LDWWL FC Barcelona 4th, 38 pts, WDLWD
Google Result Probability: Las Palmas 17% Draw 22% FC Barcelona 61%
The Brazilian international, who came over on a €40 million deal, could help provide some much needed-depth to the Barcelona attack. Elsewhere Pedri is a doubt, due to some unspecified muscular issues. There are still some questions about the timeline of his return.
Finally, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Gavi and Marcos Alonso remain out as long-term injury absentees.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now, while writing for the International Baseball Writers Association of America. You can follow the website on Twitter.