Granada vs FC Barcelona : Match preview, team news, predicted line-up, result, head-to-head, venue, date, time, where to watch
FC Barcelona returns their focus to the domestic circuit as they travel to Granada for their next fixture on Sunday, as they would be put to test by the “Nazaries”. The defending champions would look to continue their unbeaten streak as they come on the back of a fantastic 1-0 away victory against Portuguese heavyweights Porto.
A mouth-watering clash, with lot at stake
FC Barcelona would be facing one of the toughest tests this season as they would travel to Los Carmenes, after a frantic victory over Porto, in the midweek clash. They have been one of the teams in this season in European top flight to stay unbeaten, and they would look to maintain that momentum in their next fixture. It has been deciphered that Barcelona are coming back to their best form since last season, after edging out arch rivals Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup, and eventually winning the La Liga title, after a hiatus of four years. With the likes of Lewandowski upfront and a sturdy defensive wall comprising the famous “B-A-C-K” having Balde, Araujo, Christensen and Kounde, and Portuguese stalwart Joao Cancelo added in their ranks, these Catalan side has been looking dangerous recently and has been every opponent’s nightmare. Barcelona have also added Joao Felix to the squad which has bolstered their attack, thus Barcelona claiming to be one of the “Invincibles” this season. They are currently on the second spot in La Liga and has cemented their top spot in the UEFA Champions League group, mauling UCL debutants Royal Antwerp 5-0 in the first game, and snatching a victory in a closely fought battle against Porto.
Granada CF, on the other hand, have quite unexpectedly underperformed this season, as they are reeling on the 19th position. They have won a single fixture out of eight games, as they have ended up on the losing side for five times. They had defeated Mallorca one month back and it was their sole victory, as they would be hosting Barca on the back of two consecutive ties and one loss, thus settling for a stern test.
Granada vs FC Barcelona: team news
With an important match on the offing, both teams would be looking to field their best eleven. But injuries might force both tacticians to tweak their main team. Robert Moreno would be without the services of two of his top players as seasoned custodian Raul Fernandez and club captain Victor Diaz, as the former, he had fractured his finger which led him to miss the previous game against Almeria, and has undergone surgery. For defender Diaz, the skipper is suffering from synovitis in left knee and has not trained with the group this week.
Barcelona would also be forced to make some changes from their starting line-up against Porto, as front man and star striker Robert Lewandowski was substituted in the UCL game, and is expected to be on the sidelines for more than a month, owing to an ankle sprain, and is slated to miss El Clasico at the end of the month as well. With Frenkie De Jong, Pedri and Raphinha already on the injury list, Lewa added more to the woes of Xavi, thus leaving him with few options.
Granada vs FC Barcelona: predicted line-up
Granada: Ferreira; Sanchez, Miquel, Torrente, Neva; Callejon, Ruiz, Gumbau, Zaragoza Martinez; Boye, Puertas
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Balde, Kounde, Christensen, Cancelo; Gundogan, Fermin, Romeu; Ferran, Felix, Yamal
Granada vs FC Barcelona: predicted score
Granada 0-4 FC Barcelona
Granada vs FC Barcelona: head-to-head
Granada victories: 3
FC Barcelona victories: 15
Ties: 2
Last meeting: Granada 1-1 FC Barcelona
Granada vs FC Barcelona: Venue, Date, Time, Where to watch
Venue: Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes
Date: 9th October, 2023
Time: 12:30 AM (Indian Standard Time)
Where to watch: Sports18
