Granada vs Real Sociedad match preview and predictions for Sunday’s LaLiga match. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and predicted lineups as the hosts return to action following yet another European success.
| Date | Sunday 14th March 2021 |
| Kick-Off | 16:15 (local time) |
| Stadium | Los Carmenes |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Granada vs Real Sociedad Preview
Two teams who have been involved in the Europa League this season clash on Sunday in LaLiga. While La Real are no longer involved, Granada now look on course for the Quarter-Finals after another European win on Thursday night. Their squad is though stretched to the very limit right now which will make things tough for them here.
Real Sociedad were fortunate enough to host Granada earlier in the season at a time when the majority of their first team squad was made unavailable due to Covid-19 protocols. That resulted in one of the most one-sided matches if not scorelines of the season with La Real cruising to a 2-0 victory as Diego Martinez, who himself was unable to attend, fielded a host of youth players. While Granada will have a stronger XI out here, it will again be well short of their first choice team.
That’s in part because of a mounting injury crisis, while it’s also possible Martinez may opt to rest some players with the 2nd Leg of Granada’s Europa League last 16 tie against Molde to come on Thursday. Having won the 1st Leg 2-0 on Thursday with goals from Jorge Molina and Roberto Soldado, it’s clear that competition is going to take priority over LaLiga for the Andalusians now and rightly so given their wonderful run in it, in what is their debut European campaign.
That’s a bonus for Real Sociedad who also benefited last weekend from facing a fatigued Levante side that had gone to Extra Time just three days earlier in a Copa del Rey Semi-Final. La Real only won 1-0 but the xG stats were around 5-0 in their favour as Imanol’s side missed plenty of good chances to stretch their lead.
That has been a story of their season to some extent. Real Sociedad create loads of chances but have often struggled to finish them off. Despite that, they are back in good form in LaLiga after a difficult winter. It’s 4 wins from their last 5 in the league now and they are 7 unbeaten. Sevilla’s dip in form does offer them a real window of opportunity in terms of getting back into the hunt for a top four finish and they will move level on points with the Andalusian side with victory here.
Head to Head
- Last 6 Competitive Meetings: 5 Real Sociedad Wins, 1 Granada Win.
- Real Sociedad won 2-0 against a much weakened Granada side earlier this term.
- They have won on 4 of their last 5 visits to Los Carmenes.
- Granada’s only recent against La Real was via a 3-2 margin at Anoeta last term.
Team News
Alberto Soro, Luis Suarez and Carlos Neva are out for the hosts. They also still have injury doubts over Angel Montoro, Luis Milla and Darwin Machis and Diego Martinez may want to rest some players who got through 90 minutes on Thursday in the Europa League in any case.
Real Sociedad have doubts over defenders Aritz Elustondo and Nacho Monreal but otherwise should be at full strength.
Predicted Granada Starting Lineup:
Silva – Diaz, German, Duarte, Foulquier – Quina, Montoro, Herrera – Kenedy, Molina, Puertas (4-3-3)
Predicted Real Sociedad Starting Lineup:
Remiro – Munoz, Le Normand, Zubeldia, Gorosabel – Merino, Illarramendi, Silva – Oyarzabal, Isak, Januzaj (4-3-3)
Granada vs Real Sociedad Predictions
LaLiga Expert Predicts: Granada 1-3 Real Sociedad (follow us on Tipstrr to view our betting tips)
The visitors look like strong favourites here. Real Sociedad are playing well and their earlier European exit means they’ve had the luxury of a week off to prepare for this one. Granada have significant selection problems and will most likely prioritise next Thursday’s Europa League match in any case. La Real should claim a relatively comfortable win.
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