Atletico Madrid vs Granada Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Atletico Madrid vs Granada on and what time does it start? Atletico Madrid vs Granada will take place on Monday 14th August, 2023 – 20:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Atletico Madrid vs Granada? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Atletico Madrid vs Granada on in the UK? Atletico Madrid vs Granada will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Atletico Madrid vs Granada in the UK? Atletico Madrid vs Granada can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
ATLETICO MADRID
In the second-half of last season, Atletico Madrid were excellent and, performance-wise, were perhaps the best team in the league until they faded towards the end of the season and ended up finishing below Real Madrid in La Liga. Half-way through the season, it had appeared that Los Rojiblancos were in the middle of their final ever Diego Simeone-led campaign but the Argentine is back for more and they may well be pushing for the title once again.
Over the summer, other than the Joao Felix fiasco, it has been quite content and happy for Atleti with some interesting arrivals, particularly defensively where they had had issues. Cesar Azpilicueta, Caglar Soyuncu and Javi Galan have all arrived and, with a switch in formation, this could be time for Atleti to get yet another wind.
GRANADA
Granada have returned to La Liga after just one season in the second-tier, under the impressive attacking management of Paco Lopez. Lopez led the Andalusians to the Segunda Division title. Their pre-season ended with a 1-0 regional derby loss at home to Almeria after four successive victories against El Ejido, Atletico Sanjluqueno, AD Ceuta and Getafe.
In the transfer market, they have released Ruben Rochina and allowed Isma Ruiz, Quini and Pepe Sanchez to depart on free transfers to Cordoba, OIympiacos and Ibiza respectively. They have also sold Adrian Butzke to Vitoria. In terms of incomings, they have brought in some impressive additions with the likes of Jesus Vallejo, Famara Diedhiou, Gonzalo Villar and Shon Weismann.
THE TEAM NEWS
ATLETICO MADRID
After using a 4-4-2 system for the vast majority of his time in charge of the capital city club, Simeone has seemingly now opted for a three-at-the-back system but they are without three players, Jose Maria Gimenez, Reinildo and Memphis Depay, that would be in their starting eleven.
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Oblak; Savic, Soyuncu, Hermoso; Azpilicueta, Koke, Witsel, De Paul, Galan; Correa, Griezmann
UNAVAILABLE: Gimenez (Injured), Reinildo (Suspended), Depay (Injured), Vitolo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
GRANADA
Despite being promoted to the top-flight last season, Granada, especially under the principled management of Paco Lopez, will stick to a progressive and attacking 4-3-3 style and system as they head to the Metropolitano with a fully fit available squad.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Fernandez; Diaz, Miquel, Vallejo, Neva; Petrovic, Gumbau, Villar; Puertas, Weissman, Uzuni
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Atletico Madrid are set to be one of the title contenders this season if they can find the groove they were in after the 2022 FIFA World Cup break mid-way through last season. With a front two in which Antoine Griezmann drops deep, like he did for France in that tournament, Atleti possessed, arguably, the best player in the league. Granada will go at Atletico and without Reinildo or Gimenez, will fancy their chances of scoring but, despite that, Atletico remain the firm favourites, especially with their opening day home advantage.
TIP: ATLETICO MADRID TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
