Atletico Madrid vs Granada
Spanish La Liga
Date: Saturday, 15th October 2016,
Kick-Off at 17:30 UK
Venue: Vicente Calderon, Madrid.
Things are shaping up quite nicely for Atletico Madrid now after a disappointing start to the league campaign, with two draws against newly promoted sides. They’ve won 6 out of 7 in all competitions since then with the only match they didn’t win a 1-1 draw at Barcelona which clearly was also a good result. They have risen to the top of La Liga with Barca and Real dropping points of late and will be very confident of staying there for another week at least following this match.
Their brand new strike partnership of Kevin Gameiro and Antoione Griezmann showed the clearest signs yet that it will be a good one in their 2-0 win at Valencia last time out with both players on target, although there may be some rotation here with a long Champions League trip to Rostov in midweek.
That shouldn’t have any effect on the result though. Granada have been very poor at the back so far and are bottom of the league with just 2 points from 7 games. They perhaps hastily dispensed with the services of Paco Jemez but were still beaten 1-0 at home by Leganes last time out and new boss Lucas Alcaraz will take charge for the first time here, but it’s hard to see him having an immediate impact in such a tough opening fixture.
Granada have the joint worst defensive record in the league so it could just be a question of how many Atleti are going to score here in what is effectively a home banker. They aren’t known as a side that scores a lot of goals like Barcelona or Real but they have still managed to really put a few teams to the sword already this term. A 4-0 win in Vigo and 5-0 home win over Sporting Gijon suggest they will dish out a few more thrashings this term and backing Atletico Madrid – Over 2.5 Team Goals at 4/5 looks a good shout here with Granada so poor at the back.
Atletico Madrid vs Granada: Head-to-Head Stats
Atletico Madrid are unbeaten in the last 10 La Liga meetings with Granada, with 8 wins and 2 draws during the period. Their home record is even better as they have won in each of the 5 meetings against Granada by keeping a clean-sheet.
Atletico haven’t conceded a goals in the last 5 meetings against Granada in all venues. Also, Granada have scored only one goals in the 10 meetings against Atletico since earning promotion to La Liga in 2011/12.
Atletico Madrid vs Granada: Prediction
On back of current form and team stature, Atletico Madrid are heavy favourites to win this one. And seen in the previous fixtures at the Vicente Calderon against Granada, this could also end up with the hosts keeping a clean sheets. And expect Simeone’s men to score not less than 3 goals here.
Atletico Madrid vs Granada: Betting Tips
Handicap win for Atletico Madrid with -2 goals to start with at 2.05 (21/20).
