Real Madrid vs Granada
Spain – LaLiga
Date: Saturday, 05 October 2019
Kick-off at 15:00 UK/ 16:00 CET
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu (Madrid).
Real Madrid vs Granada Preview
The result of this match will decide who tops the table toward the second international break. For Granada are in with a chance to do that is extraordinary in itself and the newly promoted side will travel to the Bernabeu really believe they can get a result. Real Madrid have not been convinced yet this season but they have managed to come through a complicated series of fixtures relatively unscathed.
They salvaged a point from a Champions League match against Brugge in midweek and while they have work to do in that competition, Zinedine Zidane will be pleased with his side's domestic form below 4 points from a difficult away games at Sevilla and Atleti. They are now the only remaining unbeaten team La Liga and they will be determined to put points on the board up here to head into the break on a positive note.
Granada will travel full of optimism has really impressed at the way this term. They've won comfortably away to Celta and Espanyol when they scored four in the draw at Villarreal. Therefore it is clearly visible as if they have the tools to ask questions of the Real Madrid side. They may look to obtain top scorer Antonio Puerta involved as much as possible with the winger in direct conflict with Marcelo down the right wing Granada.
Both sides tend to line up 4-3-3 and certainly there is potential for an open game enough except Granada decided to return to an approach more carefully to far their toughest away games to date. Real Madrid should be close to full strength despite Zidane may choose to rest Toni Kroos who have played a lot of football this season already with James potentially come into midfield. There may also be beginning to Alphonse Areola in goal with Thibaut Courtois who has been unwell this week.
Real Madrid vs Granada Predictions
Prediction score: 2-1 Real Madrid
Real Madrid defense susceptibility clear again in midweek as they conceded twice early against Brugge. Granada has actually scored more than them this season but Real have been getting the job done in the league of late. They should do just enough here again though Granada confident side can push them close.
key stats
Real Madrid only suffered one defeat in the last 23 league home matches against Granada (W20 D2), 0-1 loss way back in 1974.
Granada has 14 points after seven games in La Liga this season (W4 D2 L1) - their best ever total at this stage in a top-flight campaign.
Real Madrid have scored 12 goals after seven games in La Liga this season, the lowest tally at this stage since 2006-07 (10), matching a season (also 12) then.
Granada have lost 14 of their last 15 La Liga match against Real Madrid. only their victory in that period came in February 2013 belonged to Cristiano Ronaldo's own goal.
Real Madrid Karim Benzema has been directly involved in 11 goals in his last eight games against Granada LaLiga (eight goals and three assists).
