Horror series against Real Madrid: Mammoth task for Granada’s new coach Medina
First 3:0, then 4:2 – is this Real Madrid’s next win within a week? The new Spanish La Liga leaders host relegation candidates FC Granada on Saturday – anything other than a comfortable home win would honestly be a big surprise
The odds for Real Madrid vs. Granada naturally make it clear that the Blancos are the heavy favorites. A look at the home record, recent results and form of both teams also clearly underlines this. While three points are firmly on the cards for Real Madrid, Granada will be hoping for a change of manager – as they head to the Spanish capital with a new coach on the sidelines
Will Real Madrid possibly have a little goal festival, or can the team second last in the table hold out – and what exciting tips can be found and played in this game? We provide Real Madrid v Granada La Liga betting odds, predictions, statistics and team facts for both clubs in our
preview.
Real Madrid – stats & current form
Real Madrid regained the lead at the top of the table last matchday – and will now, of course, be looking to defend it. The record champions won 3-0 at FC Cadiz, and since the previous surprise leaders FC Girona only drew 1-1 against Athletic Bilbao on Monday, Real jumped back to the top of the table thanks to their better goal difference (only after two direct duels between two teams with the same number of points does the direct comparison count)
Real Madrid: leaders in La Liga, group winners in the Champions League
On nine out of 14 matchdays, Real Madrid are at the top of the table, and ideally they want to keep it that way. And it’s quite likely that it will stay that way for at least one more matchday. Because “only” Granada are coming to the Bernabeu, the penultimate team in La Liga, who are also in extremely poor form. It’s a completely different story for Real Madrid. The madridistas are once again a force at home anyway. They have won eight of their nine must-win home games in La Liga and the top flight, with one draw (0-0 against Rayo on matchday 12).
Things are also going like clockwork in the Champions League, where Real have not only booked their place in the last 16 early, but have also topped their group after beating SSC Napoli 4-2 – after five wins from five games.
Given this form, it is difficult to imagine that Granada, of all teams, will be able to upset the madridistas at the Bernabeu. Betting on a clear home win for Real Madrid vs. Granada can be worthwhile if you are hoping for or expecting a very clear home win. The handicap -2 on Real Madrid brings with it odds of over 2.00. A 3:0, 4:0, 4:1 or similar is not unrealistic given the form of both teams.
Predicted Real Madrid line-up:
Granada – Statistics & current form
As good as Real have been recently – especially offensively – Granada have been weak this season. The Andalusians, promoted to the Spanish top flight as champions of the 2nd division, have only managed one meagre win so far this season. With 33 goals conceded, the promoted side have conceded the second most goals, with only bottom-placed Almeria (37) having a weaker defense. In view of this, a prediction of several Real Madrid goals against Granada is a natural one
Granada sack promotion coach Lopez – Uruguayan Medina to keep the team in the league
With Granada now eleven games without a win and a 3-1 defeat at fellow promoted side Alaves on the last matchday, the club has now pulled the ripcord: On Sunday, promotion coach Paco Lopez was sacked, and on Monday Granada presented its new head coach in Alexander Medina. The 45-year-old Uruguayan is supposed to save Granada from relegation, but has no previous experience as a coach in Spain or even Europe. Medina most recently coached Argentinian first division club Velez Sarsfield, where he was sacked in February.
Will things get better with Medina? At least his first game is a mammoth task and could hardly be more difficult. If you want to bet on the coach change effect, you should consider the double chance X/2 tip for Real Madrid vs. Granada, where the odds average over 5.20.
Predicted line-up of Granada:
Real Madrid – Granada head-to-head comparison / H2H record
The clear favorite status of Real Madrid is also underpinned when looking at the direct comparison. Real Madrid have won all of their last 14 games against Granada!
The last time Granada scored against Real was in February 2013, when they won 1-0 at home. It’s been an eternity since Granada were able to snatch points at the Bernabeu. Granada’s last win at the Bernabeu came in 1974, when they also picked up a point. It was the only success in the club’s history at Real Madrid.
It is therefore hardly surprising that the overall record speaks for itself: Real Madrid have won 38 of the 52 meetings, with only six wins for Granada and eight draws
Real Madrid – Granada betting tip
Winning streak in La Liga, a long series of defeats against Real Madrid, only one win at Real in the club’s history and a fresh change of manager: there is not much to be said in favor of the second division champions ahead of their visit to the Bernabeu on Saturday evening (18:30). All the more reason, of course, for the Blancos, who are brimming with confidence, to secure another clear home win. Rodrygo (six goals in the last four games) and Jude Bellingham are also in great form for them, while Joselu finally scored again in the Premier League against Napoli and celebrated an escape
There’s a lot, not to say everything, in favor of a home win for Madrid – and a clear one at that. We also believe in this, so our betting tip for Real Madrid v Granada is: Real Madrid win and Rodrygo scores.
