Preview: Granada vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news

Imanol Alguacil 's high-flying Real Sociedad side will travel to Andalusia this weekend for their La Liga clash with Granada at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes on Sunday.

Three points for La Real could see them leapfrog Sevilla into fourth place, while a win for Granada could see them enter the race for Europa League football next season.

Match preview

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Granda's continued success in the Europa League has been a breath of fresh air for the fans, who have seen their side falter in the league in recent weeks.

The team's 2-1 loss to Athletic Bilbao last time out in the league was their third loss in four league outings, a poor run of results for Diego Martinez 's men.

With just two league wins in their last 11 games, Granada are really in the midst of a tough spell.

Unfortunately for Martinez, it doesn't look like his side will get much in the way of respite this weekend. Granada have lost six of their last seven top-flight games against Real Sociedad.

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In comparison, La Real are playing with their tails up at the moment after recovering from a tough spell of their own. Alguacil's men have four wins from their last six league outings and they have only conceded three goals in that time.

La Real have also won on three of their last five league visits to Andalusian teams.

Against Levante last time out, La Real ground out a narrow win after Mikel Merino bagged the only goal of the games in the 10th minute.

The victory meant that La Real successfully managed to steal a march on Sevilla, who were beaten by Elche last week, and increase their chances of a top-four finish.

Granada La Liga form:

D

D

L

L

W

L

g

Granada form (all competitions):

W

L

L

W

L

W

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

D

W

W

W

D

W

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

W

L

W

D

D

W

Team News

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Granada are in the midst of one of their worst injury crises of the campaign, with a number of first-team regulars currently out injured.

Neyder, Luis Milla, Luis Suarez, Alberto Soro, Darwin Machis, Jesus Vallejo, Carlos Neva, Maxime Gonalons and Pepe are all out nursing injuries.

It is likely that Martinez will choose to rest key players like Kenedy, Roberto Soldado and Yan Eteki in preparation for their European tie against Molde.

La Real, who have had trouble with injuries for much of the season, will also have a number of absentees for this tie.

Aritz Elustondo, Joseba Zaldua, Jon Pacheco, Sola and Luca Sangalli are all unavailable for this fixture.

Granada possible starting lineup:

Silva; Foulquier, Duarte, Sanchez, Quini; Vico, Herrera, Quina, Angel Montoro, Puertas; Molina

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Alex Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Silva, Zubimendi, Merino; Januzaj, Isak, Oyarzabal

We say: Granada 1-3 Real Sociedad

Granada have been poor in the league in recent weeks and they have the worst defence in the division. We think La Real will keep them busy all afternoon and get the goals necessary to keep their dream of a top-four finish alive.

Top tip

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