Prediction: Granada vs Valencia

Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds: 1.93

Bookmaker: ZetBet

The 26th round of La Liga will conclude on Thursday night at the Nuevo Los Cármenes Stadium with a match between Granada and Valencia. The visitors aim to get closer to the Conference League qualifying spot, while the hosts fight hard to escape relegation.

Granda

Having dominated the second division of Spanish football the previous season resulting in a swift promotion to La Liga, Granada have so far failed to meet Spain’s top football requirements. As the games are running out, the team’s current performances are pushing them closer to a La Liga 2 return.

Jose Ramon Sandoval has only been the team’s manager since the previous round, but his debut did not yield the outcome the club’s hierarchy had hoped for. In his first game in charge of Granada, Sandoval failed to improve the accuracy issues in front of the opposition goal, a problem that persisted all season.

Also, his team dropped the performance level significantly in the second half, allowing Cadiz to score the match’s only goal. The 19th loss of this campaign appears to have already decided Nazaries’ fate, with a Segunda Division return looking to be a reality more than ever.

Still, at Nuevo Los Cármenes Stadium, the home team is tough to defeat and that’s a reason to feel slightly optimistic. Granada won eight of their previous 14 home games. In addition, they managed to stun elite teams like Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, and Betis after putting on strong displays in front of their fans.

Team News

With all his players healthy and ready to play against Valencia, veteran Spanish manager Jose Ramon Sandoval will continue to use his 4-2-3-1 attacking formation hoping to see improved performances from his forwards.

Bruno Mendez, Rubio, Miguel and Neva will form the back line. Ruiz and Hongla will hold the midfield and transition that ball to the attacking players. Mellendo, Villar and Sanchez will support Boye to get his name on the scoresheet and bring the much-needed 3 points.

Valencia

Valencia have made incredible strides lately, coming from a tough relegation battle during the previous season to a fight to qualify for the European Cups this term. Following last year’s stellar finish to the season, the former legend and captain, Ruben Baraja, has been given the permanent managerial role and will hope to lead the club to new heights.

Valencia are now eighth in La Liga, but a victory over Grnada could push Baraja’s team within five points of the Conference League spot. However, the visitors have only won twice in the previous eight rounds, clearly showing a decline in form in the last quarter of the season.

Although they are a real force at home, Valencia don’t seem to scare anyone on the road. With only three wins from 14 away games, it’s safe to say that Ruben Baraja’s side has an obvious problem away from home.

Valencia strikers are struggling to find the back of the net as they have only managed one goal in the last three La Liga games. We may conclude that Valencia have fallen short of their fans’ expectations in these games, especially while playing against more accessible teams like Mallorca, Villareal, and Getafe.

With tough games on the horizon against top sides such as Betis, Real Sociedad, Barcelona and Girona, Rubens Baraja’s players will have to up the pace at the end of the season if they are to retain a realistic chance of qualifying for the next season’s Conference League.

Team News

Centre-back Mouctar Diakhaby suffered an excruciating knee injury that will see him out until March 2025. Roman Yaremchuck complained of knee problems and the medical staff is investigating the condition further. A clear diagnosis and expected return have not yet been given.

Key factors to consider

• Granada failed to win in the last 10 La Liga rounds, suffering recently four straight defeats
• Jose Ramon Sandoval’s appointment failed to have the desired impact, the Spanish manager losing at his debut away at Cadiz, 1-0
• The only two La Liga Granada wins at home this season came against Cadiz and Mallorca
• Valencia is within reach of the Conference League position
• Ruben Barajas’s team is slowing down, winning a single La Liga game from their last six

Conclusion

Granada and Valencia are in a late-season slump and a win for either team could trigger a much-needed revival. With the stakes high for both teams, we expect an open game with goals scored at both ends.

Verdict: Both teams score

Best odds: 1.93

Bookmaker: ZetBet