Preview: Granada vs. Valencia - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are currently 19th in the La Liga table, six points from the safety of 17th position, while Valencia are eighth, four points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad in the battle for a European finish.

Match preview

Granada have shared the points with Las Palmas, Barcelona and Almeria in their last three league matches, so they will bring a three-game unbeaten run into this contest, but the strugglers need wins at this stage of the campaign.

Alexander Medina's side are 19th in the table, boasting a record of two wins, eight draws and 15 defeats from their 25 La Liga matches this season to collect 14 points.

Granada are six ahead of basement side Almeria following the 1-1 draw between the two sides last time out, while they are six points from 17th-placed Celta Vigo in the battle to remain in Spain's top flight this season.

The Segunda Division champions have picked up 12 of their 14 points this season on home soil, so their form in front of their own supporters will be vital when it comes to determining whether survival is possible.

Granada are seeking a first La Liga win against Valencia since December 2020, losing three of their last four meetings, including a 1-0 defeat in the reverse meeting between the two sides back in November.

Valencia, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Sevilla at Mestalla last weekend.

Ruben Baraja's side boast a record of 10 wins, six draws and nine defeats from 25 La Liga matches this season to collect 36 points, which has left them in eighth position in the table, four points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad.

Valencia's home form this season has been impressive, picking up 24 points from 12 matches, but they have struggled on their travels, only collecting 12 points from 13 games away from Mestalla.

Los Che finished 16th in La Liga last season, which proved to be their joint-worst final placing in Spain's top flight since the 1985-86 campaign, when they were relegated to the Segunda Division.

There have been plenty of signs of improvement this season, though, and a strong end to the campaign could put them in the picture for sixth, which as it stands, is a qualification spot for the Conference League playoff round.

Granada La Liga form:

L

L

L

D

D

D

Valencia La Liga form:

W

W

L

W

L

D

Valencia form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

L

D

Team News

Granada will be missing four players on Saturday through injury, with Gonzalo Villar, Bruno Mendez, Jesus Vallejo and Raul Fernandez unavailable for selection.

Meanwhile, Gerard Gumbau is suspended due to the milestone yellow card that he picked up while appearing off the bench in the 1-1 draw with 20th-placed Almeria last time out.

Ignasi Miquel is back from a ban of his own, though, and the Spaniard should return to the defence, while Lucas Boye is battling to be included in the final third of the field.

As for Valencia, Thierry Correia and Andre Almeida will miss the match due to injury problems.

Diego Lopez remains a doubt, meanwhile, so it is possible that head coach Baraja could select the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Sevilla last time out.

Fran Perez and Sergi Canos are likely to continue in the wide positions, with Hugo Duro, who has scored 10 La Liga goals this season, being joined through the middle by Roman Yaremchuk.

Granada possible starting lineup:

Batalla; R Sanchez, Miquel, Rubio, Neva; Ruiz, Hongla, Melendo; Uzuni, Boye, Pellistri

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Diakhaby, Mosquera, Gaya; Perez, Pepelu, Guillamon, Canos; Yaremchuk, Duro

We say: Granada 1-1 Valencia

Granada's home form this season, considering their position in the table, has been solid, while Valencia have won just three of their 13 away league matches this term. On paper, Valencia are the favourites, but Granada are not losing games at the moment, and we can see the points being shared in this contest.

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