Granada CF - Girona predictions and free betting tips [18/09/2023]

On Monday, the 18th of September, within the framework of the 5th matchday of the Spanish Primera, "Granada" will host "Girona". Michel's squad amassed 10 points from the opening four matches and secures a second spot in the table, while "Granada" is barely holding onto the 16th place.

Predicted Lineups

"Granada": Fernandez; Sanchez, Rubio, Miquel; Callejon, Melendo, Gumbau, Neva; Uzuni, Boye, Zaragoza.
"Girona": Gazzaniga; A Martinez, D Lopez, Blind, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Herrera, A Garcia, Martin, Savio; Stuani.

Stadium

The clash will unfold in Granada at Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium.

"Granada"

Last season's Segunda champion, gathering 75 points in 42 rounds, "Granada" returned to the elite division only a year after its relegation and, as is often the case with promotion, will strive to stay there. However, "Granada" is currently 16th in the La Liga standings, having only managed to nab three points after a win over "Mallorca" (3:2), and will end the month with matches against "Girona", "Las Palmas" and "Betis". The victory against "the Islanders" was earned after a 5:3 defeat from "Real Sociedad" in the Basque Country. It's important to note that the team puts up decent attacking displays, but the defence must step up to eradicate a worrying trend of conceded goals (12 in 4 rounds). As for the others, it's unlikely the roster will see significant changes compared to the previous round. Lucas Boye (Elche), who scored his debut goal in his very first match for the new club, should return as the central forward. 

"Girona"

"Girona", fresh from an impressive comeback to La Liga last season, occupies the second spot behind Real Madrid prior to the 5th round, with a total of 10 points and remaining unvanquished so far. Apart from a starting-round draw with "Real Sociedad" (1:1), the Catalans clinched three consecutive wins leading up to the international break: against "Getafe" (3:0), "Sevilla" (1:2), and then with a slight edge against another newcomer - "Las Palmas" (1:0). They achieved a solid 10th place in the previous campaign, marking the club's best La Liga result to date, and this season they're angling for potential involvement in the European competitions.

Wrapping up the month, red and whites have "Mallorca", "Villarreal" and "Real Madrid" on the agenda. On the other hand, we should expect the likes of Blind (Bayern), Eric Garcia (on loan from Barcelona), and winger Portu (Getafe), who scored the only goal in the last match against "Las Palmas", to appear in the starting line-up. Ukrainian Tsygankov (3 goals, 6 assists last season) moved from Kyiv "Dynamo", while his fellow countryman Dovbik (24 goals for Dnipro last season) also joined the team this summer. 

Head-to-Head

These teams haven't met since the 2010-2011 season in Segunda, with "Granada" claiming a 2:1 victory at home.

Match Forecast for "Granada" vs "Girona"

"Girona" appears to have hit her stride early in the season, even though the squad is about mid-table strength. Meanwhile, "Granada", still adjusting to the elevated level of play after securing promotion, suffered four defeats in the last five outings. The Catalans, unbeaten in La Liga this season, should be capable of grabbing all three points this evening – my call is on their victory with an Asian Handicap of 0.

Forecast on Total

Since May, "Girona" prevailed in five out of six away matches, managing two wins and three draws. Therefore, I'm betting on the Individual Total Over (ITO) 1 for the visitors.

Forecast on Corners

As the hosting team, "Granada" should apply enough pressure to gain at least 4 corners.

Forecast on Yellow Cards

With "Granada" averaging two yellow cards per game this season, it's unlikely the hosts are going to ramp up the aggression this evening. Thus, betting on Individual Total Under (ITU) 2.5 for red-whites' cautions looks like a good call.

Forecast on Exact Score

I'll place a wager on the exact score of 1:2 in favor of "Girona".