Following a hard-fought victory over Eibar on Sunday night, Real Madrid are expected to play hosts to Granada in their next league game at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in midweek.
The Los Blancos go into this game at the back of a 3-1 victory over Jose Luis Mendiliber’s Eibar on Sunday evening while Granada also beat Real Betis by a 2-0 score line earlier the same day to record their third win in a row.
Madrid needed goals from Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez to be beat Eibar while Roberto Soldado’s first half brace was enough to triumph over Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
Granada are currently unbeaten in their last four across all competitions while their away record in the league has not been the best of records so far. On the other hand, Madrid have also lost two of their league games at home this season – losing to Cadiz and Deportivo Alaves.
Zinedine Zidane’s side have all of their last 10 league games against Diego Martinez’s team, keeping six clean sheets during that time. In fact, Granada’s last victory over the current defending champions came during the 2012/13 campaign – a 1-0 win thanks to an own goal from Cristiano Ronaldo.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Venue: Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium
Date: Wednesday, December 23
Time: 18:45 GMT
TEAM NEWS
Zidane will be sweating on the fitness of Modric, who had ice on his thigh during the victory over Eibar. Vinicius Junior and Eden Hazard should also be fine to join the squad for the game while Isco’s fitness is yet to determined.
For Martinez, Fede Vico, Angel Montoro, Victor Diaz and Neyder Lozano are all nursing injuries, making them unavailable for the clash against Los Blancos.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Granada: Rui Silva; Foulquier, Duarte, Sanchez, Neva; Herrera, Eteki, Milla; Machis, Soldado, Suarez
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Vazquez, Benzema, Rodrygo
PREDICTION
Real Madrid 3-1 Granada
Madrid’s attack has regained their form once again and it has been evident in their last two games. Against Granada, more of such is expected but with Soldado leading the line for the away side they could grab at least a goal or two at the expense of Zidane’s defense.
