The top two teams of La Liga will lock horns against each other on UTC 2019/10/05 14:00 as leaders Real Madrid welcome second-placed Granada to the Bernabeu.
Real Madrid occupy the top spot in the La Liga with 15 points from 7 matches. However, they are winless in their last two matches in all competitions.
Granada have been the surprise package of the new La Liga season. Diego Martinez’s men are currently second in the league standings, just a point shy of the Merengues and are unbeaten in their last five matches (W4 D1), which included a 2-0 win over reigning champions Barcelona last month.
Real Madrid have been quite inconsistent this season and Granada will back themselves to pick up another upset win and knock Los Blancos off their perch, having already gotten the better of Barcelona.
TEAM NEWS
Real Madrid’s injury issues have compounded since last weekend as Nacho and Marcelo have joined Ferland Mendy on the treatment table, leaving Zidane out of options at left-back. Thibaut Courtois came off at half-time against Club Brugge with an illness and is unlikely to be involved on Saturday.
It will be interesting to see who Zidane opts to use as his left-back on Saturday. Castilla’s Fran Garcia is an option while Dani Carvajal has played in that position before and summer signing Eder Militao is also an alternative. The manager is likely to start with Carvajal on the left side of his backline, with Eder as the right-back, ahead of Alvaro Odriozola.
Gareth Bale wasn’t involved in the Champions League clash, but should return to the side on the right flank replacing Lucas Vazquez. Eden Hazard has looked well below his best in the last two matches but is expected to be given another chance to come good, while Karim Benzema should spearhead the Real Madrid attack.
Granada also have their fair share of injury problems heading into the big game at the Bernabeu. Defenders Alex Martinez, Neyder Lozano and Quini are all ruled out along with midfielders Yan Brice Eteki and Fede Vico. Star man Roberto Soldado and goalkeeper Rui Silva are also recovering from slight injury issues, but have been included in the 19-man squad by the manager.
Diego Martinez is unlikely to make any changes to the team that defeated Leganes last weekend. Silva should be able to shake off his minor injury problem to continue between the sticks, while the back four of Victor Diaz, German Sanchez, Domingos Duarte and Carlos Neva should remain intact after keeping four clean sheets in the last five matches.
Probable Lineups
Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Areola; Militao, Varane, Ramos, Carvajal; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Hazard
Granada possible starting lineup: Silva; Diaz, Sanchez, Duarte, Neva; Herrera, Montoro; Puertas, Azeez, Machis; Soldado
Prediction
Real Madrid 2-1 Granada