Ramon Olamilekan Azeez and Granada travel to the Santiago Bernabeu to trade tackles with Real Madrid in a meeting between La Liga’s top two teams at the moment.
Newly-promoted Granada are placed second in La Liga heading into an exciting encounter in what has been a surprising opening couple of months in their return to the top flight.
Having defeated Barcelona 2-0 three games ago – Ramon Azeez got the opener in that tie – and not tasting defeat since a 1-0 reverse to Sevilla in just the second match of the season, Granada are a team high on confidence.
They have the best clean sheet record in La Liga at present which has catapulted them above Atletico and Barcelona on the table.
Los Blancos are a tough opponent at home and after enduring another poor night in midweek at home to Club Brugge, Zinedine Zidane’s men will be rearing to make amends against Granada.
Granada will have to be at their very best to keep out a Real side that have been kept scoreless just twice this season. Only Atletico Madrid and PSG have managed to keep a clean sheet vs Zidane’s side.
This game will not be a walk in the park for either of these two sides.
Team News
Real Madrid
Thibaut Courtois is expected to be fit to start this weekend after being substituted at half-time midweek due to illness.
Nacho is out with a knee injury alongside Ferland Mendy, which paves the way for Marcelo to feature at left-back.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are expected to start in midfield ahead of James Rodriguez.
Granada
Granada aren’t expected to make any changes from their 1-0 win over Leganes last weekend.
Ramon Azeez will continue in central midfield alongside Yangel Herrera after some excellent early-season form.
Darwin Machis and Antonio Puertas should flank lone striker Roberto Soldado in attack.
Match Facts
Granada have kept a clean sheet in 4 of their opening 7 games, the present best clean sheet record in La Liga.
Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 La Liga matches.
Real have conceded the same amount of goals as Granada have this season.
With 13 goals, Granada currently have La Liga’s 3rd best attack. Real have scored just 1 less than Granada.
Head-to-head
Real Madrid have won their last 8 matches against Granada in all competitions.
Real Madrid have kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 8 matches against Granada in all competitions.
Real Madrid have been winning at both half time and full time in 5 of their last 6 matches against Granada in all competitions.
Prediction
It is hard to find a winner between these two teams. Real Madrid have always looked like they could slip-up at any point this season. Granada have been in excellent form, but taking 3 points from the Bernabeu is never an easy task.
Tip: Both team to score.
