Atletico Madrid vs Granada predictions and match preview for this Sunday’s game in LaLiga. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted line ups as Diego Simeone’s side commence their season.
- DATE: Sunday 27th September 2020
- KICK-OFF: 16:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Wanda Metropolitano
Atletico Madrid vs Granada Preview
Atletico Madrid’s 2020/21 season starts on Sunday, only a little over a month on from their Champions League defeat against Leipzig. A deal for Luis Suarez which was agreed this week will add an intriguing new dimension to this Atleti side and raises hopes that they can challenge Barcelona and Real Madrid for the league title. They start their season against a Granada side that boasts a 100% record so far this term and actually tops the early LaLiga standings.
Last season was largely seen as a transitional campaign in the red and white half of Madrid and Diego Simeone was keen to emphasise that at times. There will be no such excuses this season for an Atleti side that has so far at least held on to all their best players. With the arrival of Suarez imminent, it seems like Joao Felix and Diego Costa may end up battling for one place in the side and there’s pressure on both men to deliver more this term than they managed last.
This is by no means an easy opening game for Atleti. Granada have been terrific so far this season, winning both league fixtures whilst making good progress in the Europa League. They beat Locomotive Tbilisi 2-0 on Thursday night to reach the Play-Off round of that competition and they’ve already successfully seen off both Alaves and Athletic Club in LaLiga. Diego Martinez continues to do a fine job with the Andalusian club and suggestions they were a one season wonder last term already look like they are being disproved.
Season Previews: Atletico Madrid | Granada
Atletico Madrid vs Granada H2H
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 5 Atleti Wins, 1 Draw
- Atleti were 1-0 winners in this fixture last term, having drawn 1-1 at Los Carmenes earlier in the season.
- Atleti have won all of their last 8 home games against Granada.
- Granada have only managed 1 goal on their last 6 trips to Madrid to play Atleti and that came in a 7-1 defeat.
Team News
Atleti are expected to continue with Marcos Llorente operating as the most advanced of what is effectively a four man central midfield. Their only major absentee is Jose Gimenez who recently tested positive for COVID-19.
Granada should recall the likes of Yangel Herrera and Antonio Puertas who were rested in Europe on Thursday. Some other players may rotate out though with a vital game coming up on Thursday night.
Predicted Atleti XI:
Oblak – Lodi, Felipe, Savic, Trippier – Saul, Thomas, Koke – Llorente – Costa, Felix (4-3-1-2)
Predicted Granada XI:
Silva – Neva, Duarte, Sanchez, Foulquier – Herrera, Milla, Montoro – Machis, Soldado, Puertas (4-3-3)
Atletico Madrid vs Granada Predictions
Score Prediction: 2-0 Atletico Madrid
Granada have been impressive but they do have a key game coming up on Thursday in Sweden against Malmo with a place in the Europa League group stage up for grabs. Their busy summer of recruitment suggests they have budgeted and planned for making it at least that far so Diego Martinez will want his strongest team for that tie.
We may see some light rotation as a result here and with home advantage, Atleti ought to have enough to win this game to get their season underway on a positive note.
Atletico Madrid vs Granada Betting Tips (18+)
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