Granada vs Atletico Madrid Prediction and Preview – 05/12/15
La Liga preview – Granada vs Atletico Madrid prediction
Granada suffered a blow in midweek when Javi Marquez and Miguel Lopes reported injuries. Portuguese defender Lopes is expected to recover in time for the visit of Atletico but ever-present central midfielder Marquez looks likely to be sidelined. Rene Krhin has been out of action since picking up an ankle injury playing for Slovakia last month and faces an uphill battle to be ready for Saturday.
Atletico Madrid will be missing Tiago Mendes for an extended period after the playmaker broke his tibia in the 1-0 win against Espanyol on Saturday. Coach Diego Simeone may look for a replacement for the key role in the next transfer window and in the meantime Gabi could slot in while 22-year-old Belgian Yannick Carrasco could also be considered after a fine performance coming on for the injured Tiago. Jackson Martinez remains doubtful as he recovers from a foot injury while Simeone will decide between young Argentine Luciano Vietto and Fernando Torres for the attacking role alongside Antoine Griezman.
Possible Line-ups
Granada: 4-2-3-1 formation: Fernandez; Lopes, Babin, Lomban, Biraghi; Rico, Perez; Ibanez, Uche, Success; Penaranda
Atletico Madrid: 4-3-3 formation: Oblak; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Luis; O. Torres, Gabi, Koke; Carrasco, F. Torres, Griezman
Statistics
- Granada have won 1, drawn 5 and lost 4 of their last 10 matches
- Atletico Madrid have won 8, drawn 2 and lost 0 of their last 10 matches
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Granada have scored an average of 1.2 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game
- Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Atletico Madrid have scored an average of 1.6 goals and conceded an average of 0.3 goals per game
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Granada’s previous 10 matches
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 3 of Atletico Madrid’s previous 10 matches
Prediction
Relegation threatened Granada are fighting to stay above the drop zone, currently 17th in the table but only one point above bottom club Levante. Coach Jose Sandoval’s side has won one, lost one and drawn five games since a damaging four-game losing streak in September. The team showed great spirit to come back from a two-goal deficit to force a draw in Malaga and defeated Athletic Club 2-0 in their most recent home match. The injury to Javi Marquez is a major blow and comes at a time the club face two potential six-pointers at Levante and Las Palmas in the next four games.
Atletico Madrid are chasing Barcelona who are four points clear at the top of La Liga. Simeone’s men bid for their sixth consecutive win in four weeks which will ensure they remain in second place ahead of their illustrious neighbours, Real Madrid.
Two goals in the last 10 minutes against Malaga last week kept Granada out of the relegation zone but the home team is unlikely to be presented with similar chances against a side that has not conceded a league goal for almost 300 minutes.
Tips
Atletico Madrid at 3/5 with bet365
Atletico Madrid to win to nil at 5/4 with BetVictor
Atletico Madrid to win 2-0 at 13/2 with 888sport
What are your predictions?
Click here to see more La Liga previews, predictions and tips