Granada vs Barcelona Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Granada vs Barcelona on and what time does it start? Granada vs Barcelona will take place on Sunday 8th October, 2023 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Granada vs Barcelona? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Granada vs Barcelona on in the UK? Granada vs Barcelona will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Granada vs Barcelona in the UK? Granada vs Barcelona can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
GRANADA
Mid-way through last season, following their 2022 relegation from La Liga, Granada were underperforming and replaced former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka with Paco Lopez. Paco Lopez then managed an impressive turnaround in form and led the Andalusians to the second-tier title last season.
They have, though, begun the 2023/24 campaign very slowly and are expected to suffer a struggle against the drop throughout the campaign. In their opening eight matches of the season, Granada have managed just one win so far but they do come into this on the back of back-to-back draws against regional rivals Real Betis and Almeria.
BARCELONA
Last season, Barcelona reclaimed the Spanish title for the first time in four years with Xavi’s Catalans reliant on impressive defensive form at Camp Nou throughout the campaign. There was a need and a belief over the summer that Barca would have to improve their performances if they were to defend their title and challenge in Europe, too.
They defeated Porto by a goal to nil in the group stages of the UEFA Champions League in midweek, which makes it two wins out of two in that competition. In La Liga, they have managed six victories with two defeats as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting a point and a place below Real Madrid at the top-of-the-table.
THE TEAM NEWS
GRANADA
Paco Lopez could name an unchanged eleven for this weekend’s visit of the champions with their only absentee being the long-term injury of Jesus Vallejo.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Ferreira; Sanchez, Miquel, Torrente, Neva; Callejon, Ruiz, Gumbau, Zaragoza; Puertas, Boye
UNAVAILABLE: Vallejo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
BARCELONA
The biggest concern for Xavi, aside from the absence of Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri, is Robert Lewandowski, who came off injures in the second-half in midweek.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, Gavi; Yamal, Lewandowski, Felix
UNAVAILABLE: Raphinha (Injured), de Jong (Injured), Pedri (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Lewandowski (Injured)
THE PREDICTION
Granada have been open this season, as is the want of Paco Lopez. To fight back from 3-0 down an earn a point in a regional derby last weekend will give them some hope but conceding 21 goals in eight games will simply not be a good enough rate to keep them up. Barcelona didn’t concede double figures until well into the second-half of the season last year but they have already let eight in this time around. Barca should and probably will win but it could be another entertaining match involving the struggling hosts.
TIP: BARCELONA TO WIN & OVER 2.5 GOALS
