Sofia Quijada
Las Palmas and Orlando Pirates meet in a July International Club Friendly on July 22, carrying a notable contrast in recent momentum. The Spanish side, coached by Luis Garcia, heads into this match without a single competitive fixture in the past 30 days, while Orlando Pirates, under Abdeslam Ouaddou, have played twice recently, picking up a win and a draw. That gap in match sharpness could prove decisive. Pirates sit significantly higher in the world club rankings, and their 64% win rate across 22 matches this year dwarfs Las Palmas’s 41% from the same number of games, making this far from the routine European-vs-African friendly it might appear on paper.
For Orlando Pirates, keep an eye on the contributions coming from their attacking unit, which produced a 3-0 win over Magesi and a 2-1 victory against Cadiz in their most recent run of results. On the Las Palmas side, their attacking players showed some spark in a 2-1 win over both Real Valladolid and Cadiz earlier in the year, suggesting the team can perform when match-fit, though the absence of recent action is a real concern.
Hot stat: Orlando Pirates have gone unbeaten across their last two matches, defeating Cadiz 2-1 and drawing with Cordoba 1-1, while Las Palmas have not played a single match in the last 30 days, giving Pirates a clear edge in match fitness entering this fixture.
| 🏆 Tournament: | International Club Friendly 2026 – July Phase |
| 🗓️ Date: | 22.07.2026 |
| ⏰ Time: | 19:00 CEST |
Las Palmas vs Orlando Pirates Prediction
Orlando Pirates are the stronger side on paper here, and the match fitness advantage makes them the logical pick. Las Palmas have not played in over a month, which in a pre-season or friendly setting often translates to sluggish pressing, slower transitions, and defensive lapses. Pirates, by contrast, have been active and are building rhythm under Ouaddou. Their year-long win rate of 64% versus Las Palmas’s 41% reinforces the gap in current form. We predict an Orlando Pirates win, with the South African side showing enough quality to control large portions of this match.
In terms of style, Las Palmas under Luis Garcia tend to favour a possession-based approach typical of Spanish football, which can generate higher pass volume but also invites pressure when the team lacks sharpness. Orlando Pirates have shown a more direct, transition-heavy style in recent results, targeting spaces quickly. If Las Palmas’s midfield is slow to press after their extended break, Pirates will punish them on the counter. A moderate number of fouls is expected from both sides given the friendly nature, though Pirates’ physicality in midfield could draw cards if the game gets competitive. The corner count is likely to stay modest given the open nature of friendly football.
| 🔥Hot Tip: | Orlando Pirates to win and both teams to score |
| ⚽Total Goals: | Over 2.5 |
| 💥Both Teams To Score: | Yes |
| 🎯Total Corners: | Under 9.5 |
Team Analysis
Las Palmas have gone over a month without a competitive fixture, which is the defining factor in their current assessment. Their most recent results show a mixed picture: draws against Malaga (1-1 and a 0-1 defeat) sandwiched around earlier wins over Real Valladolid and Cadiz, plus a heavy 1-5 loss to Andorra that raised questions about their defensive organisation. That Andorra result is particularly telling — it came against a side with a very poor record, suggesting Las Palmas were either heavily rotated or struggling with cohesion. With nine wins from 22 matches this year, their consistency has been unreliable. In recent matches, their form shows a run that includes several losses and draws, with only occasional bright spots.
Orlando Pirates arrive in much better shape. Their last five matches include a 3-0 win over Magesi, a 2-1 victory against Cadiz, and a 2-0 win over Orbit College, with a draw against Cordoba (1-1) and a goalless stalemate with Maritzburg United being the only blemishes. That is a strong recent record, with Pirates conceding very little in their winning performances. Their form across the year reads 14 wins from 22 matches, and their recent run shows a consistent string of wins and draws with no heavy defeats. Pirates are clearly in a positive cycle heading into this match.
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Las Palmas. Source: Official Facebook. Edited photo
The Verdict
We predict an Orlando Pirates win in this July friendly. The numbers back them at every level: a 64% win rate this year versus Las Palmas’s 41%, a world club ranking 156 places higher, and the clear advantage of match sharpness from recent competitive action. Las Palmas’s extended inactivity is a real handicap, and their 1-5 loss to Andorra earlier in the campaign shows they are capable of shipping goals when not at their best. Pirates have kept clean sheets and scored freely in their recent wins. Expect Pirates to find the net, with Las Palmas perhaps grabbing one on the counter, making Both Teams to Score a reasonable secondary bet alongside the Pirates win. The Over 2.5 goals market also has appeal, given Las Palmas’s defensive vulnerabilities and Pirates’ recent attacking output.
