Ace Football previews the LaLiga match between Granada and FC Barcelona, and offers the latest betting tips, odds, and team news.
FC Barcelona hope to make it three wins in a row for the first time this season in LaLiga in Saturday’s trip to Granada.
Only seven points separate the two clubs ahead of this fixture. Barcelona have the edge on 31 points from 17 games in fourth-place in the league standings. Victory on Saturday would move them back into the top three. That said, Granada have a game in hand on 24 points from 16 outings. Therefore, theoretically at least, they can reduce the seven-point gap to a mere point by winning this match and the other one.
Both sides shared the spoils of victory in their meetings last season. Lionel Messi’s 76th-minute goal against a 10-man Granada gave Barcelona a narrow 1-0 win at Camp Nou last time out. However, the Blaugrana lost 2-0 in their last visit to the Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes in September 2019.
Granada Form & Stats
Darwin Machis’ extra-time goal secured Granada a 2-1 win over third-tier side Cultural Leonesa in a second-round clash on Wednesday, and the fifth victory in seven games (L2) across all competitions in Spain.
Despite a difficult period in November, which saw them lose three of their four league games (D1), Granada responded well. The Rojiblancos have won three of their last six matches (D1 L2) to maintain their European qualification hopes in seventh-place, and leave them seven points off fourth-placed Barcelona.
Diego Martinez’s side also boast the fifth-best home record in LaLiga this season. They’ve collected 17 points out of a possible 24 (W5 D2 L1) out of eight matches so far. Real Valladolid are the only club to win at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes by a surprise 3-1 scoreline in November.
Key Team Stats
- Lost 2 of their last 3 league games (W1).
- Won 5 of their 8 home league games (D2 L1).
- BTTS in 4 of their last 7 home league games.
- Scored at least 2 goals in their last 3 home league games.
FC Barcelona Form & Stats
A run of five wins in seven league games (D2), without a single defeat, has eased some pressure off Ronald Koeman. The Barcelona manager hasn’t had the best of starts to his reign, but will hope things have finally picked up. The trip to Granada could be the biggest sign yet on where the club currently stand.
2021 has, so far at least, been solid. The Blaugrana have won both their games away to Huesca and Athletic Club. Wednesday’s 3-2 triumph over the latter at the San Mames was particularly satisfying. After a sub-par display in Huesca, a Lionel Messi-inspired Barca bounced back to keep the club’s title hopes alive.
Catching LaLiga leaders Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand, will prove a tough task. Especially as Barcelona already have a seven-point gap to recover from. But as Real Madrid are just five points ahead in the standings, there is still plenty to play for yet.
One player perhaps worth keeping an eye out for is 17-year-old Ilaix Moriba. The Guinea-born central midfielder, a highly-regarded La Masia youngster, has made the senior squad for the first time in his career.
Key Team Stats
- Unbeaten in their last 7 league games (W5 D2).
- Won their last 3 away league games.
- Won 7 of their last 8 games against Granada in all competitions.
- Lionel Messi has made 7 goal contributions (5 goals, 2 assists) in his last 6 league games.
- Lionel Messi has made 15 goal contributions (12 goals, 3 assists) in 11 league games against Granada.
Team News
Granada
Out: Luis Milla, Neyder Lozano.
Doubts: Victor Diaz.
FC Barcelona
Out: Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Philippe Coutinho, Clement Lenglet (suspended).
Doubts: N/A.
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in La Liga
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in La Liga.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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