Las Palmas v Real Madrid preview: Zinedine Zidane focused on La Liga clash

Zinedine Zidane says Real Madrid are focused on Saturday evening's La Liga clash at Las Palmas, live on Sky Sports Mix, despite an upcoming Champions League quarter-final.

Real are all but out of the La Liga title race - 15 points adrift of leaders Barcelona - although they remain in contention to clinch a third successive Champions League crown.

They face Juventus in the quarter-final first leg in Turin on Tuesday, but Zidane insists his side cannot afford to look beyond their trip to 18th-placed Las Palmas (kick-off 5.30pm BST) as they return to action after the international break.

"We have to try to win, as always. We know that Las Palmas are having a difficult season, but they are capable of putting in a big performance, and that says a lot about their team," Zidane said.

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"We have to be prepared and start strong, play with intensity and rhythm, without thinking about their position in the league because in Spain there are no small teams.

"We are going to Las Palmas with the maximum illusion, without thinking about Tuesday's Champions League match. Of course we have the Turin game in our heads, but to prepare for it we have to do it well tomorrow."

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to be rested while Zidane confirmed captain Sergio Ramos and midfielder Isco have "niggles" and will therefore not travel to Gran Canaria.

Zidane: I want to stay

Zinedine Zidane made a rare comment on his future to confirm he wants to stay in charge at Real Madrid.

Gareth Bale, who represented Wales twice in China during the international break, is set to feature as Zidane added: "He's ready to play. He played two matches with Wales and tomorrow it's our turn. He's ready to play."

Las Palmas head into Saturday evening's clash on a seven-match winless run but they held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Gran Canaria earlier this month.

But with six points separating Las Palmas from safety, boss Paco Jemez knows they cannot afford to simply hang on against the capital club.

"Any team that Real Madrid puts out is capable of taking on anybody," he said in quotes on the club's official website.

"To beat Real Madrid we have to attack better, but I hope we defend as we did against Barcelona, that would give us a lot."

Jemez added defender Dani Castellano and midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Tana would be absent.

Watch Las Palmas v Real Madrid live on Sky Sports Mix or Sky Sports Football (Red Button) from 5.25pm on Saturday.

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