Preview: Valencia vs. Granada - prediction, team news

Europa League quarter-finalists Granada will be looking to make it back-to-back La Liga wins when they continue their domestic campaign away to an inconsistent Valencia on Sunday afternoon.

Granada currently occupy eighth position in the table, six points behind sixth-placed Real Betis, while Valencia sit down in 12th position, having only collected 30 points from their 27 league games in 2020-21.

Match preview

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Valencia have finished fourth in La Liga in two of the last three seasons, but they will not be playing European football in 2021-22 unless there is an incredible turnaround in the final weeks of the campaign.

Los Che have won seven, drawn nine and lost 11 of their 27 league matches this season to collect 30 points, which has left them down in 12th spot in the table, 12 points behind sixth-placed Real Betis on the same number of matches.

The six-time Spanish champions are actually only seven points clear of the bottom three and have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, winning two and losing two of their last four league games, including a 1-0 defeat to rivals Levante in the Valencian derby on March 12.

Javi Gracia 's side have only lost three of their 13 home league fixtures this term, though, which is the same record as Sevilla and Real Madrid, and they still have a squad capable of winning a lot of games between now and the end of the season.

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Granada, as mentioned, booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League on Thursday evening despite suffering a 2-1 loss to Molde in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

Diego Martinez 's side, who triumphed 3-2 on aggregate over their Norwegian opponents, will face Manchester United in the last eight of the competition, with the first leg due to be held at the start of April.

Granada were also victorious in La Liga last weekend as they recorded a 1-0 win over Real Sociedad courtesy of a goal from German Sanchez in the early stages of the second period.

A total of 36 points from 27 matches has left Martinez's team in eighth position in the table, six points behind sixth-placed Betis, and they will certainly be eyeing a Europa League spot for next season.

Granada recorded a 2-1 victory in the reverse game earlier this season, but Valencia ran out 2-0 winners when the two teams locked horns at Mestalla last term.

Valencia La Liga form:

D

L

W

L

W

L

Granada La Liga form:

D

L

L

W

L

W

Granada form (all competitions):

L

W

L

W

W

L

Team News

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Valencia will again be without the services of Eliaquim Mangala and Cristiano Piccini through injury, while Denis Cheryshev is battling to overcome a knock.

Los Che will be able to welcome back Uros Racic, Carlos Soler, Maxi Gomez and Jose Gaya, though, with all four players serving suspensions in the 1-0 defeat to Levante last time out.

Gomez is expected to return to the tip of the attack, while there could be a start at the back for Ferro. Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Guedes should both keep their positions in the XI, but Racic, Soler, Gomez and Gaya should all return to boost Gracia's side.

As for Granada, Neyder Lozano, Luis Suarez, Luis Milla, Carlos Neva and Alberto Soro are all unavailable through injury, while Dimitri Foulquier is a doubt with a hamstring problem.

Roberto Soldado came off the bench to score against Molde on Thursday and should be back in the starting XI for this match, while Yan Eteki could feature in midfield alongside Yangel Herrera and Maxime Gonalons.

Antonio Puertas should keep his spot in the side, while Darwin Machis made his return from injury against Molde and could now be handed a start at the expense of Kenedy.

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Cillessen; Correia, Paulista, Ferro, Gaya; Racic, Soler; Wass, Kang-in, Guedes; Gomez

Granada possible starting lineup:

Silva; Diaz, Duarte, Sanchez, Quini; Herrera, Eteki, Gonalons; Puertas, Soldado, Machis

We say: Valencia 1-1 Granada

Valencia are having a difficult season, but there is not an awful lot between Los Che and Granada when it comes to overall quality. Granada will not have had long to prepare for this match due to their involvement in the Europa League, but we are expecting the visitors to secure a share of the spoils.

Top tip

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