Preview: Granada vs. Real Betis - prediction, team news, lineups

Granada will be looking to make it back-to-back wins in La Liga when they continue their 2020-21 campaign at home to an inconsistent Real Betis on Sunday afternoon.

The home side beat Elche last weekend to move into seventh spot in the table, while Betis currently occupy 10th, having picked up 16 points from their opening 13 matches of the season.

Match preview

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Granada's involvement in the Europa League means that it has been a busy start to the season for the club, but they will be relatively pleased with their league form this term and managed to book their spot in the knockout round of the European competition, with a two-legged affair against Napoli to come in February.

Diego Martinez 's side also ensured that they would progress to the second round of the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 2-0 victory away to San Juan on Thursday night.

A record of five wins, three draws and four defeats in La Liga this season has seen Granada collect 18 points from 12 matches, which has left them in seventh spot in the table ahead of the next set of fixtures.

El Grana, who finished seventh in La Liga last term, beat Elche 1-0 last weekend courtesy of a strike from Luis Suarez as they won in the league for the first time since the end of October.

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Betis, meanwhile, also secured their spot in the second round of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night courtesy of a 2-0 win over UCAM Murcia, with Martin Montoya and Guido Rodriguez on the scoresheet.

Manuel Pellegrini 's side have picked up four points from their last two league matches, meanwhile, including a welcome point against high-flying Villarreal last weekend.

Betis have largely struggled for consistency this term, though, winning five, drawing one and losing seven of their 13 matches to collect 16 points, which has left them in 10th position.

Los Verdiblancos, who finished 15th in La Liga last term, are actually without a victory in their last four league games with Granada and suffered a 1-0 defeat in the corresponding game in 2019-20.

Granada La Liga form: DLLLDW

Granada form (all competitions): LLDDWW

Real Betis La Liga form: WLLLWD

Real Betis form (all competitions): LLLWDW

Team News

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Granada will have German Sanchez available after a recent injury, but the home side still have a number of fitness problems, with Neyder Lozano, Jesus Vallejo, Angel Montoro and Victor Diaz all out.

Carlos Neva and Fede Vico are doubts, meanwhile, and Quini is on standby to feature at left-back if Neva is unable to prove his fitness ahead of kickoff on Sunday afternoon.

There are not expected to be any surprises further forward, though, with Luis Milla, Yangel Herrera and Maxime Gonalons likely to play behind a front three of Suarez, Darwin Machis and Roberto Soldado.

As for Betis, Victor Camarasa and Sergio Canales are both definitely out through injury, while Alex Moreno and Sidnei are doubts ahead of the contest.

Head coach Pellegrini is unlikely to make any changes from the side that started against Villarreal last weekend, with Aitor Ruibal is expected to retain his spot in a wide area.

Cristian Tello, Antonio Sanabria and Joaquin appeared off the bench against the Yellow Submarine and are options for change in the final third, but Borja Iglesias should again lead the Betis line this weekend.

Granada possible starting lineup:

Silva; Foulquier, Duarte, Sanchez, Neva; Herrera, Milla, Gonalons; Machis, Soldado, Suarez

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Bravo; Emerson, Mandi, Bartra, Moreno; Carvalho, Guardado, Rodriguez; Ruibal, Iglesias, Fekir

We say: Granada 1-1 Real Betis

There is not too much between these two teams in terms of quality, and it would not be a surprise to see a close game despite the fact that Granada have performed slightly better this season. Betis will certainly have taken confidence from their last three results and should have enough to claim a point here.

Top betting tip

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