Competition: Spanish La Liga 2016-17
Date: Saturday, 11th March, 19:45 GMT
Stadium: Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.
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Granada vs Atletico Madrid Preview and Prediction
Both these sides still have plenty to play for this season with Atleti targeting a top four finish and Granada desperately trying to stay in La Liga. The Andalusians have been getting a few home results of late though and we could see a relatively open game here as a draw won’t do much for either side.
Granada’s defeat at Leganes last weekend has left them in deep trouble again. They are 5 points off safety and still have to play all of the current top five in their remaining 12 matches, starting with this one so chances are they will need to upset at least one of the big boys. They have actually won 5 of their last 7 home games in all competitions though so confidence should at least be relatively high and they are capable of asking Atleti a few questions.
They did a smart piece of business in January by signing striker Adrian Ramos on loan from Borussia Dortmund. Despite being a fringe player, the Colombian scored 9 Bundesliga goals for the German giants last term so it’s a real coup for Granada to get him and he showed his class with 2 goals against Betis last month. He’s likely to be their main goal threat here and backing Adrian Ramos to score anytime at 7/2 could be worth a flutter, particularly with Atleti not looking that solid at the back this season.
Defensively though, Granada aren’t at all convincing. They’ve conceded 2.08 goals per game this term and their matches average 3 goals per game overall. They conceded 7 goals when they met Atleti earlier in the season and they have a dreadful record against the Madrid club, so Atleti’s forwards will be looking forward to this one. Gameiro and Griezmann combined well last weekend to score 3 goals between them against Valencia and they have looked really sharp in the final third as a team in recent weeks.
Atleti matches this term average 2.69 goals per game which is a big increase on previous seasons and there have been over 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 games. 4 of Granada’s last 5 outings have also seen over 2.5 goals scored so backing Over 2.5 Match Goals at 19/20 looks to offer value here.
HEAD TO HEAD
Atleti have won 8 of the last 9 meetings. The sides have met 11 times in La Liga since Granada’s promotion to the top flight in 2011. Granada have scored just 2 goals and collected just 2 points.
GRANADA VS ATLETICO MADRID STATS
Both teams have scored in 67% of Granada’s home games this season. Atleti have netted 1.85 goals per game in La Liga this term.
GRANADA TEAM NEWS
Winger Mehdi Carcela is suspended which is a big blow for the hosts. Isaac Cuenca should replace him. Uche is back from a ban and should start in central midfield.
ATLETICO MADRID TEAM NEWS
Gabi is injured so it should be Koke and Saul in the middle of the park. Kevin Gameiro and Fernando Torres are carrying knocks so Angel Correa is on standby for a rare start up front.
GRANADA VS ATLETICO MADRID PREDICTIONS over 2.5 goal
