MX23RW : Friday, November 8 21:10:04| >> :120:11606:11606:
[monks data]
Granada logo
La Liga
May 14, 2016 at 4pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-3

FT(HT: 0-2)
Suarez (22', 38', 86')

Preview: Granada vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole previews Saturday's La Liga clash between Granada and the league leaders Barcelona.

Three points for Barcelona away at Granada this weekend and the Catalan outfit would claim a 24th La Liga title and continue their dominance of Spanish football.

However, any slip-up would open the door for second-placed Real Madrid to complete one of the most remarkable turnarounds in history to snatch the championship away on the final weekend.


Granada

Youssef El Arabi celebrates scoring for Granada in a La Liga game from back in the day© Getty Images

Granada's 4-1 win at Sevilla last weekend took away their relegation fears and ensured that they would welcome Barcelona on Saturday afternoon free from pressure.

Jose Gonzalez's team were in deep trouble at the start of April and a 3-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on April 17 left them staring relegation in the face. They have responded in impressive fashion, however, winning three of their last four in Spain's top flight.

El Grana thumped Levante at home on April 21, but lost 2-1 at Celta Vigo one week later to leave them in the relegation mix. Back-to-back victories followed, however, and they can no longer finish in the bottom three entering the final weekend of the season.

Ten wins, nine draws and 18 defeats is how Granada have performed in the 2015-16 campaign, and while they have a poor record against Barcelona, the Andalusian side are unbeaten in their last six home league games - winning three times in the process.

Since gaining promotion to La Liga in the 2010-11 season, Granada have not finished above 15th. They only just survived relegation last season and that has again been the case this time around.

However, their form has improved under new manager Gonzalez, who replaced Jose Ramon Sandoval in February, and one look at their squad suggests that they should be pushing for a top-half finish next season rather than preparing for another battle against the drop.

Recent form: DLWLWW


Barcelona

Luis Suarez celebrates scoring during the La Liga game between Barcelona and Espanyol on May 8, 2016© AFP

On March 12, Barcelona were 15 points clear of Real Madrid in the La Liga table, and it seemed unthinkable that the title race would enter the final weekend of the season.

Atletico Madrid have ultimately fallen just short and can no longer win the title, but Real Madrid would snatch the crown away from Barcelona if they beat Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday and Luis Enrique's side fail to record all the points against Granada.

Between April 2 and April 17, Barcelona lost three successive league matches - two of which came at Camp Nou. They have responded in emphatic style, however, winning their last four in Spain's top flight without conceding.

They thumped Espanyol 5-0 at Camp Nou last weekend to make it 21 goals in their last four league games and despite a wobble, they will hold off pressure from the capital with a fifth straight league success this weekend.

If Barcelona win this match, they would claim the title with 91 points, which is fewer than in the last four league seasons where they have won the division (99, 96, 100 and 94).

There will be no treble this season after being knocked out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid, but Barcelona can still win a double as they prepare to take on Sevilla in the final of the Copa del Rey later this month.

It is no surprise that Barcelona's La Liga destiny is in their own hands entering week 38, but nerves will be present and Real Madrid will be ready to pounce at any sign of weakness.

Recent form: LLWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWWW


Team News

Claudio Bravo for Barcelona on August 18, 2014© Getty Images

Diego Mainz and Isaac Success remain on the sidelines for the home side, but Isaac Cuenca is expected to overcome a knock to face his former club.

Cuenca, who netted twice against Sevilla last time out, should start on the right of midfield, leaving skipper Ruben Rochina on the opposite side.

David Barral and Fran Rico are both pushing for spots in the XI after starting the Sevilla clash on the bench.

As for Barcelona, Claudio Bravo missed the win over Espanyol with a calf problem, but the Chilean goalkeeper is expected to return between the sticks.

Enrique has no fresh injury concerns from the Catalan derby and is expected to name the same 10 outfield players that thumped their rivals at Camp Nou last weekend.

Luis Suarez will be looking to add to his 11 goals in his last four league appearances.

Granada possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Lopes, Babin, Costa, Biraghi; Rochina, Doucoure, Perez, Cuenca; El-Arabi, Penaranda
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Bravo; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi


Head To Head

Granada have lost 15 of their last 17 league games against Barcelona and managed just one win in the process.

What's more, at Los Carmenes, Granada have won just one of their last eight against the Catalan giants - losing six times and drawing once.

The reverse clash at Camp Nou this season ended in a 4-0 Barcelona win, with Lionel Messi hitting a hat-trick for Enrique's side.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Granada 1-3 Barcelona

Granada will be allowed to play with freedom after securing survival last weekend, but it is very difficult to imagine Barcelona failing to collect all the points. We expect second-placed Real Madrid to beat Deportivo La Coruna, but Barcelona to win the title with three points in Granada.



ID:272599: cacheID:272599:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:9877:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Munir El Haddadi of FC Barcelona in action during the pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli on August 6, 2014
Read Next:
Munir El Haddadi agrees new Barca deal?
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Bengals
34-35
Ravens
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!