Prediction: Granada vs Atletico Madrid

Prediction: Atletico win

Best Odds: 6/10

Bookmaker: 888sport

It’s officially Christmas week and while there are many questions being raised about how badly COVID-19 could derail the football calendar, we also have to focus on the increased schedule that’s coming up across the continent in the next couple of weeks. Today, we’re going to take a look at what should be a fascinating clash of styles between Granada and Atletico Madrid.

Granada

A few years ago it seemed as if Granada had the potential to do some big things in Spanish football, and yet while they’re still one of the most entertaining teams in the league, they’ve taken a few steps back this year. A poor start left many wondering whether a relegation scrap could genuinely be on the cards but with that out of the window, we could instead see them shoot up through the ranks in the weeks to come.

Team News

Machis is set to return from injury but Lozano will be replacing him on the shelf. Elsewhere, Gonalons and Quini are both suspended with Duarte and Rochina being viewed as fitness doubts.

Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid may have made their way through to the last 16 of the Champions League, but we don’t think that’ll be enough to spare their blushes. Diego Simeone needs to do everything in his power to get control of the club because, to be blunt, they’ve been spiralling a bit since the beginning of the campaign. They need to start approaching games differently because if they don’t, they may miss the top four.

Team News

Savic, Llorente and Griezmann are all injured with the latter being out of action until the new year. The only other fitness concerns for the visitors are Vrsaljko and Gimenez, both of whom will be assessed before kick-off.

Factors to Consider

• Atletico are 5th in La Liga whereas Granada are 15th.
• Granada have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
• Atletico have won two and lost four of their last six games.
• Granada have scored 16 goals and six in their last six games.
• Atletico have scored nine goals and conceded nine in their last six games.

Conclusion

Granada are free-scoring, Atletico like throwing caution to the wind and both teams could use a positive result – which should make for the perfect cocktail of carnage on Wednesday. We expect to see both sides come out firing in a “all or nothing” style of match-up, leading to goals galore. In the end, though, Atletico will edge out a 3-2 win that may just save their manager from crisis talks.

Prediction: Atletico win

Best Odds: 6/10

Bookmaker: 888sport