Analysis
Granada have been doing just enough to stay above the relegation zone in the Spanish Primera Division. However, they suffered a miserable 3-0 loss to Sevilla last week underlined their inconsistent run composed of two wins, one draw and two defeats in the last five matches. Saturday’s hosts, who commenced the year with a 2-1 loss at home to Valencia, will be hoping to kick-start February in better fashion. Snatching something away from Real Madrid would be ideal.
Los Blancos have roughly a month to think about their second Clasico of the year. The second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final tie will not take place until late February. In between this crunch fixture, Real Madrid will have difficult battles against Sevilla in the Spanish Primera Division and Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League.
The Spanish giants cannot allow themselves to be overwhelmed by February’s huge agenda which kicks off with a tricky fixture at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes. Diego Lopez is expected to start in post while Varane could get a spot in Real Madrid's starting XI after his exploits in El Clasico. The pressure will be on the forwards to find the back of the net and delight the traveling fans.
Head-to-head record
January 7, 2012: Real Madrid 5-1 Granada
May 5, 2012: Granada 1-2 Real Madrid
September 2, 2012: Real Madrid 3-0 Granada
Granada’s last La Liga match stats (3-0 loss against Sevilla)
Ball possession: 41 per cent; Corners: 4; Shots on target: 3; Shots wide: 4; Fouls: 15; Offsides: 3
Real Madrid’s last La Liga match stats (4-0 win against Getafe)
Ball possession: 64 per cent; Corners: 10; Shots on target: 11; Shots wide: 6; Fouls: 7; Offsides: 2
Granada’s last three La Liga matches
January 14, 2013: Getafe 2-2 Granada
January 19, 2013: Granada 2-0 Rayo Vallecano
January 28, 2013: Sevilla 3-0 Granada
Real Madrid’s last three La Liga matches
January 12, 2013: Osasuna 0-0 Real Madrid (La Liga)
January 20, 2013: Valencia 0-5 Real Madrid (La Liga)
January 27, 2013: Real Madrid 4-0 Getafe (La Liga)
Prediction
Granada 1-2 Real Madrid
