Zunder Palencia-Real Madrid: gunning for a fifth away win in a row

March's run of away games is coming to an end. Our team play their fifth consecutive away game today against Zunder Palencia in 10 days, a period in which they have won every game. After the triumphant Euroleague double-header, the league leaders face an unprecedented game in the competition. It is our first visit to the Palencia Municipal Sports Pavilion in LaLiga. We could very well confirm our status as a playoff team today.

Madrid has won all its games since Friday 15 on some of the most difficult courts in Europe, such as Bologna, Malaga, Berlin and Belgrade. In the latter, we sealed first place in the Euroleague. In LaLiga, a week ago we left Malaga with a bigger lead and now it's time to stay at the top for the remaining nine games of this phase. We face an opponent that needs to win to get out of the relegation zone. They are in last place but only two wins away from salvation. They will be looking to cheer up their fans, who are sure to turn the stadium into a boiling pot.

In this competition we have five wins in a row (Girona, Breogán, Andorra, Tenerife and Unicaja) and we have a shot at qualifying for the playoffs. With a lead of 8 wins over the eighth, ninth and tenth, which are Baskonia, Manresa and Joventut, one more win could give us the ticket to the next round depending on the result of the other teams.

Zunder Palencia have improved their level since the arrival of Luis Guil to the bench and the incorporation of Americans Hands and Piñeiro. The Palencians have scoring potential in their outside line (Benite or Van der Vuurst) and are a team that can instil fear (Pasecniks and Haarms stand at over 7 feet tall).

Easter at home
This will be the last game away from the WiZink Center this month, as next week both games will be at home, coinciding with Easter. On Friday 29th we host Red Star on Euroleague game 32 and two days later, on Sunday 31st, we host Baxi Manresa for league game 27. The only precedent against Zunder Palencia was in the first round at the WiZink Center. A game that ended with a clear victory for our team by 91-68.