Granada vs Barcelona Prediction and Match Preview
Granada vs Barcelona
Spain – La Liga
Date: Saturday, 9 January 2021
Kick-off at 17:30 UK/ 18:30 CET
Venue: Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes.
The return of Leo Messi to the starting XI undisputedly helped Barca improve their game.
The Argentine ace provided a brilliant assist for Frankie De Jong in the 1-0 win over Huesca, and, no doubt, the triumph helped the team regain a much-needed confidence.
Barca aim to put an extra pressure on both Atletico and Real Madrid, and we are positive that they will go all guns blazing at Granada on Matchday 18.
Umtiti should be fit to face Granada, while Coutinho and Pique remain in the recovery room.
Los Granadinos produced a poor display in a 2-0 loss to Eibar, which is yet another reason why we are tempted to put our money on the visitors.
Barca have been showing signs of improvement of late, and we predict that they are going to pick up all three points from Saturday’s clash. Both Duarte and Foulquier return from suspension for the hosts.
🔊 𝓢𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓸𝓷 🔊 pic.twitter.com/jUTV46fY68
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 7, 2021
Granada vs Barcelona: Head-to-head (h2h)
Teams Granada Barcelona played so far 14 matches.
Granada won 2 direct matches. Barcelona won 12 matches. 0 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 3.21 goals per Match.
Granada vs Barcelona Prediction
Granada in actual season average scored 1.33 goals per match. In 10 (76.92%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 6 (46.15%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Barcelona average scored 2.15 goals per match in season 2021. In 8 (66.67%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 6 (50.00%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Granada will again be without the services of Luis Milla, Angel Montoro and Neyder Lozano through injury, but Machis made his return off the bench against Cultural Leonesa in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night and could potentially feature this weekend.
Martinez will make changes from the side that started during the week, with Luis Suarez, Yangel Herrera, German Sanchez all in line to return, while Roberto Soldado should lead the line.
Dimitri Foulquier was suspended for the defeat at Eibar on January 3 after picking up a booking against Granada, but the 27-year-old is available to take on Koeman’s side.
As for Barca, Sergi Roberto, Ansu Fati and Gerard Pique remain on the sidelines through injury, while Philippe Coutinho is out for three months following knee surgery.
The visitors will also be missing Clement Lenglet through suspension, meaning that Oscar Mingueza should return to the heart of the defence alongside Ronald Araujo.
The Catalan giants impressed against Athletic on Wednesday, and Koeman could decide to stick with largely the same XI that started against the Basque outfit, with Antoine Griezmann getting the nod over Martin Braithwaite, and Ousmane Dembele featuring on the left.
Pedri has been a revelation for Barca this term, meanwhile, and should again keep his spot.
Granada possible starting lineup:
Silva; Foulquier, Vallejo, Sanchez, Neva; Herrera, Gonalons; Kenedy, Suarez, Puertas; Soldado
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Dest, Araujo, Mingueza, Alba; De Jong, Busquets; Griezmann, Pedri, Dembele; Messi
the work never stops ⚽✅ pic.twitter.com/nEHGaWUJbi
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 7, 2021
