Real Madrid vs Las Palmas - Kiko Casilla poised for first appearance of season as Kaylor Navas misses out

Posted Friday, October 30, 2015 by PA

Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla will start for the first time this season in Saturday's La Liga match against Las Palmas.

Casilla, who joined Real from Espanyol this summer, will replace the injured Keylor Navas in Los Blancos' starting XI at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Navas has proved key for Real to remain the only side unbeaten in La Liga but the Costa Rica international sustained a muscular injury during last weekend's 3-1 win at Celta Vigo and will sit out this weekend.

"Our priority is to do what is best for Real and we are not going to risk Keylor or force the return of any other player," Real coach Rafael Benitez said to Marca.

"We have enough resources for our next game and there's no need to take unnecessary risks."

Real, who are also without injured pair Dani Carvajal and Gareth Bale, will also rest Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Alvaro Arbeloa, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema this weekend despite all five having recovered from injury.

They are all expected to return in Tuesday's Champions League home match against Paris St Germain.

Los Blancos are level on 21 points with second-place Barcelona but ahead of the defending champions on goal differential.

Real boast the best attack and defensive line in the competition with 21 goals scored and three conceded.

Las Palmas held Villarreal to a goalless draw last time out in Quique Setien's first game in charge of the Canary Islands club.

Setien, who replaced Paco Herrera last week after the latter was dismissed following his team's dismal run of form, was satisfied with the result that saw his side keep a clean sheet for the third time this season.

"I've seen good things which can only make me optimistic," Setien said. "We need to go to the Bernabeu stadium with personality."

Las Palmas, with just one win from their opening nine games, are 18th in the standings. They have collected just one point from their four away games.