Granada CF - Atletico Madrid predictions and free betting tips [22/01/2024]

Today round 21 of the Spanish Primera will see 'Granada' hosting 'Atletico'. Diego Simeone's squad is currently holding the fifth spot in the league table, having sealed their quarterfinal trip in the country's cup last Thursday, while the hosts are 19th in the overall standings, five points away from the safe 17th position. 

Granada

On paper, the hosts were the strongest of the three teams promoted last season (Alaves, Las Palmas and Granada). Despite being the reigning champions of Segunda, the Andalusian club is struggling and currently sits in 19th place in the Primera standings, trailing Sevilla by five points. Last week, 'Granada' fell to 'Betis' on the road 1-0, with Isco netting the sole goal in the second half. Even more dishearteningly, the league newcomers have managed only one victory in the last 17 rounds, suffering 11 defeats. The men under Alejandro Medina's command are fourth from the bottom in La Liga home performance, yet have collected 10 of their 11 points in front of their own fans.

Goalkeeper Raúl Fernández is likely to be ruled out by the medical team, while midfielder Hongla, who recently moved from Verona, has reportedly been suspended by the coaching staff for disciplinary reasons. Didier could also miss this match due to injury. The rest of the squad is expected to hold steady from last week's tour, with Spaniard Saragosa and Albanian Uzuni - both on six goals - taking their places in offense. Over the winter transfer window, the Andalusian board made some moves in an attempt to shake up the team and rescue their club's fate: Batalia Augusto from River Plate on a free transfer, Bruno Mendes from Corinthians back on loan and defender Kamil Piatkowski were brought in, while Wilson and Alvaro Fernández were shown the door. 

Atletico Madrid

'Atletico Madrid' might currently be Spain's - perhaps even Europe's - best team. Following a bitter defeat in the Spanish Supercup semifinals to 'Real' ten days ago, the 'Rojiblancos' took revenge on the Madridistas last Thursday, beating them 4-2 in the Copa del Rey semifinals. Lino and Morata found the net during regulation time, with Griezmann and Riquelme scoring in extras. In La Liga, 'Los Colchoneros' are in fifth place with 38 points from 19 matches. The Red-and-Whites are trailing fourth-seat 'Barcelona' by three points and first-place 'Girona', who have played an extra match, by eleven points. Despite this, Simeone's troops have only clinched three of their nine away games this season, netting 16 goals and conceding 12.

Madrid's squad still misses Thomas Lemar and Pablo Barrios, while Memphis Depay returned to action in the Copa del Rey last Thursday. Reinildo has been called up for the Africa Cup of Nations with Mozambique and is understandably out for this trip. Meanwhile, 'Atletico' is reportedly trying to sign young Moroccan talent Reduan Halhala from Montpellier, with Moise Kean from Juventus rumoured to be close to joining Simeone's team, too. Apart from these, Simeone isn't foreseen to make any drastic changes to his starting XI, as the visitors are expected to field their optimal squad, notably with their strike duo of Griezmann (11 goals, 3 assists in La Liga) and Morata (12 league goals). 

Head-to-Head

In the first leg, Atletico brushed off their rival with relative ease in their own fortress, finishing 3:1. However, in the 2021/22 season, the Madrilenians could not manage a victory in Granada, ending in a goalless stalemate. 

Match forecast for Granada - Atletico

Atletico clearly surpasses its adversary according to many parameters and should overcome the reigning champions of Segunda without much strain. The fact is, the hosts have tasted victory only once in the last 17 matches and rightly reside in the next-to-last 19th position in the Primera standings. The jam at the top of the table means that the 'Rojoblancos' cannot afford to slip up—which is not expected to happen.