Granada vs Barcelona match preview and predictions for Saturday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as Barca return to the scene of one of their worst defeats last season.
- DATE: Saturday 9th January 2021
- KICK-OFF: 18:30 (local time)
- STADIUM: Los Carmenes
- COMPETITION: LaLiga
Granada vs Barcelona Preview
Barcelona return to the scene of one of their most damaging defeats of last season here. What was then still Ernesto Valverde’s Barça were humbled 2-0 at Granada in September 2019, although in the context of everything that has happened since at both clubs, it’s perhaps not as stunning a result as it appeared at the time.
Granada went on to have an outstanding first season back in the top flight, qualifying for Europe for the first time. They’ve built on those firm foundations too with some solid transfer business in the summer and they currently sit in 7th place, exactly where they finished up in 2019/20.
Indeed the tables have turned to such an extent, that a Granada victory here wouldn’t actually be that much of a surprise. They’ve won 5 out of 8 at Los Carmenes in LaLiga and have seen off Valencia and Betis in their last 2 home outings. They do though head into this game after one of their worst performances of the season – a 2-0 defeat at Eibar.
Barcelona meanwhile put in one of their best in midweek. While they conceded both early and late goals against Athletic at San Mames, it was an otherwise dominant display as Barça ultimately won 3-2 with their front four finally appearing balanced and operating well together.
Leo Messi was of course at the heart of everything and helped himself to two goals in the process but his link-up play with Pedri in particular was the standout with the teenager again impressing. Ousmane Dembélé also further highlighted how he surely has to start when fit given he offers something very different to Barcelona’s other forward and attacking midfield players.
Read all our LaLiga match previews here!
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 1 Granada Win, 5 Barcelona Wins.
- Granada won this fixture 2-0 early on last season.
- Barcelona have won 7 of their last 8 against this opposition overall though.
- Barca have won on 4 of their last 6 trips to Los Carmenes, also losing here 1-0 in 2014.
Team News
We will see some changes following a really poor Granada display with Dimitri Foulquier and Domingos Duarte back from suspensions. Angel Montoro is also fit again but may not make the XI.
Clement Lenglet is suspended for Barcelona but Ronald Koeman won’t want to change too much after a strong showing in Bilbao.
Predicted Granada Starting Lineup:
Silva – Neva, Sanchez, Duarte, Foulquier – Eteki, Gonalons, Herrera – Suarez, Soldado, Puertas (4-3-3)
Predicted Barcelona Starting Lineup:
Ter Stegen – Alba, Mingueza, Araujo, Dest – De Jong, Busquets – Dembele, Pedri, Messi – Griezmann (4-2-3-1)
Granada vs Barcelona Predictions
Score Prediction: Granada 1-2 Barcelona
Barcelona ought to take great confidence from that win in Bilbao and while this is a difficult fixture, a repeat level of performance ought to be enough to claim the victory. That would make it 20 points from 8 league games for Barça enabling them to take some genuine momentum into the Supercopa and remainder of the calendar in LaLiga.
Granada vs Barcelona Betting Tips (18+)
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