La Liga: Granada Test For Rampant Real

La Liga: Granada Test For Rampant Real

Real Madrid vs Granada

Real Madrid continue the defence of their La Liga title on Wednesday night when in-form Granada arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu, in the stand out game of a full set of pre-Christmas fixtures on offer this week.

Los Blancos are aiming to keep up an impressive winning run, but their visitors have been in good shape, winning their last three, so they will arrive in Madrid with plenty of confidence.

Talking Points

Real Madrid back on top

After a patchy run of form, five wins in a row, in all competitions, have given Los Blancos’ season a serious kick-start and they find themselves joint top of the La Liga table, behind Atletico on goal difference alone, though Los Rojiblancos have two games in hand. The Madrid giants are matching each other stride for stride with four league wins in the last five.

Real won the Madrid derby, 2-0, two weeks ago to end Atleti’s seven match winning run which had installed Diego Simeone’s team as clear favourites to win the league. The latest La Liga 2020 betting odds here at SBOTOP have seen Los Blancos’ odds dropping over the past few weeks. They are now available at 2.35 to retain their title, just behind Atletico at 2.25, and still waiting to see when and whether Barcelona, currently at odds of 6.00, are set to make a move.

A trip to Eibar on Sunday turned out to be another profitable trip for Zinedine Zidane’s men as Karim Benzema, Luca Modric and Lucas Vazquez found the target, and they have certainly got their act together with most of the club’s injuries clearing up. Attacking midfielder Eden Hazard is still on the sidelines but, led by Sergio Ramos, Los Blancos are stepping up to the challenge.

After as low start to his own season Benzema has come into form with seven goals in the bag and five assists, while midfielder Casemiro, who was on target against Atleti, is having a good campaign as a hard-tackling defensive midfielder; though as Los Rojiblancos discovered he can be a dynamic box-to-box presence as well.

Striker Suarez is happy in Granada

His namesake dominated the La Liga 2020 news when he made a high profile move from Barcelona to Atletico Madrid in the summer, but Granada have their own South American hit man firing on all cylinders.

Colombian forward Luis Suarez has impressed since his £10m switch from UK Championship Club Watford, scoring three times in nine appearances and putting in some all action performances. The 23 year-old struggled to make an impact at Vicarage Road and spent much of his three years there out on loan, and was Real Zaragoza’s top scorer last season as the club reached the Segunda Division play-offs, scoring 19 goals in 39 appearances. Since arriving in Andalusia Suarez has helped El Grana climb to sixth position, a place higher than they finished last season as they aim for European qualification for a second successive year.

Head coach Diego Martinez has more firepower at his disposal in the form of ex Spurs striker Roberto Soldado and 24 year old Brazilian Kenedy. And in midfield he has an enforcer to match Casemiro, with Maxime Gonalons patrolling the centre of the pitch, picking up five yellows and a red card already this season.

History

Real Madrid have won 13 of the 14 meetings between these two sides, since 2012, with Granada winning just the one.

In fact Los Blancos have won the last ten in a run stretching back to 2013, and have won all seven meetings with El Grana in Madrid. The most recent clash, in July, ended up 2-1 to Real, with Ferland Mendy and Karim Benzema both striking early.

But the visitors are in good form, unbeaten in five in all competitions, and have won the last three on the bounce.

Betting Tip

Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.10

Los Blancos are at 1.33 to win the game with the draw at 4.55 and Granada a long shot at 8.68.

Real have won their last three games by a two goal margin and 2-0, at odd of 6.37, is the shortest odds score line.

But I’m hedging my bets here.

Los Blancos have hit a hot streak of form, but this Granada side has successfully maintained its league form while being embroiled in a demanding Europa League campaign. I wouldn’t rule out an away goal and, equally, while Zinedine Zidane’s side should pick up another three points I don’t expect a walkover.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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