Real Madrid
Why isn’t Vinícius Júnior playing for Real Madrid against Las Palmas today?
Real Madrid can return to the top of LaLiga when they host Las Palmas today, but they won’t have Vinícius in their team.
Real Madrid will be without star forward Vinícius Júnior in today’s game against Las Palmas, as the Brazilian begins a two-match LaLiga ban for his sending-off against Valencia earlier this month.
In Madrid’s 2-1 league win at Mestalla on January 3, Vinícius was shown a straight red card after clashing with Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
The 24-year-old will also sit out Madrid’s Spanish top-flight matchup with Real Valladolid on January 25.
Tchouaméni ruled out against Las Palmas at 11th hour
Madrid will likewise be missing Aurélien Tchouaméni against Las Palmas, after the injured French midfielder withdrew from the matchday squad shortly before the game.
Who will replace Vinícius and Tchouaméni in Real Madrid team?
With Vinícius unavailable for selection, Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will once again field Brahim Díaz in Los Blancos' attack.
The Italian is expected to play Brahim on the right wing, where the Moroccan international was also a starter in Madrid’s midweek Copa del Rey win over Celta Vigo.
Rodrygo Goes comes back into the line-up to operate on the left flank usually occupied by Vinícius, with Kylian Mbappé leading the line at center-forward.
Tchouaméni, who was set to play at anchorman after a positive performance against Celta, will be replaced in the engine room by Dani Ceballos.
What other changes are there against Las Palmas?
Elsewhere, Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde return to the team in midfield, having both started on the bench on Thursday.
In defense, youngster Raúl Asencio keeps his place at center-back, while Fran García starts his second game in a row, allowing first-choice left-back Ferland Mendy to take a break from LaLiga duty.
Fellow defender David Alaba, who has not played since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament 399 days ago, could make his Madrid comeback as a substitute.
Real Madrid’s confirmed line-up vs Las Palmas:
Courtois, Lucas Vázquez, Asencio, Rüdiger, Fran García, Ceballos, Valverde, Bellingham, Brahim, Rodrygo, Mbappé.
Real Madrid vs Las Palmas: start time, where to watch
The matchday-20 LaLiga clash will be played today, Sunday January 19, 2025, at 10:15 a.m. ET/7:15 a.m. PT. If you’re watching from the US, you can tune in to the action on ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes.
You can stream ESPN Deportes live on fubo, which offers a free trial.
Who else is injured/suspended for Real Madrid?
In addition to Tchouaméni, Madrid’s injury list includes Eduardo Camavinga (hamstring), and long-term casualties Dani Carvajal and Éder Militao (both ACL). Together with Vinícius, Luka Modric is unavailable to face Las Palmas through suspension.
Can Real Madrid recover top spot in LaLiga?
Madrid head into today’s game with the opportunity to leapfrog city rivals Atlético Madrid at the summit of the LaLiga standings. Los Merengues sit one point behind Atlético, who suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat to Leganés on Saturday.
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