Sevilla vs Granada preview

October 30, 2011
By: Frank Beresford

After failing to beat Racing Santander at their Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Sevilla should have an easy job against rock bottom Granada, although the hosts will have to be wary of their opponents, who definitely have more potential than they are showing.

Before the La Liga campaign even started, Sevilla were already out of Europe, having been eliminated in the Europa League play-offs by Hannover.

However, that proved to be a blessing in disguise, as unlike their top 4 rivals who were playing two games almost every week, los Rojiblancos were able to fully focus on domestic stage.

As a result, Sevilla are now one of just three unbeaten sides in La Liga, and are sitting just outside the Champions League positions.

Los Rojiblancos failed to build on their good showing in the goalless draw against Barcelona, having failed to beat Racing at home, but this will be a perfect opportunity to make amends.

After two straight draws, Sevilla are looking to return to winning ways by beating Granada, with home win paying 1.40 (2/5) at Bet365.

In the absence of Alvaro Negredo, Freddy Kanoute and Manu del Moral are set to start up front, while Federico Fazio is doubtful and Diego Perotti is out.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Varas – Caceres, Spahic, Escude, Navarro – Navas, Rakitic, Medel, Trochowski – Kanoute, Manu.

Granada chiefs knew that in order to be competitive in Spanish La Liga, they had to seriously reinforce the squad that had won promotion from Segunda, and they act accordingly, signing quite a few new players.

The arrivals of Carlos Martins, Hassan Yebda, Yohan Mollo, Francisco Jara, Pape Diakhate and others were expected to bring a considerable improvement, but Granada had a very poor start to the season.

Five points from first nine games is a poor return even for a newly promoted side, so it is more than clear that this team will need to show a massive improvement if they are to avoid the drop this season.

Granada do sit rock bottom at the moment, but they are just two points behind safety, meaning that just one win would take them out of the relegation zone.

Coach Fabri Gonzalez faces severe selection problems before the trip to Seville, since Carlos Martins and Hassan Yebda have failed to recover from muscle injuries, whereas Jaime Romero and Dani Benitez are suspended.

Probable starting line-up (4-5-1): Roberto – Nyom, Lopez, Mainz, Siqueira – Mollo, Abel, F. Rico, M. Rico, Uche – Geijo.  

We Highly Recommend These Places
Share your Opinion!

  1. semione says:

    Allan Nyom are suspended.

  2. semione says:

    4 yellow cards

  3. Mike Gordon says:

    Thanks for pointing that out semione 🙂

  4. Mike Gordon says:

    Now that I have checked that out, it appears that Nyom is in the group for Sevilla game after all. I believe that five yellow cards incur a suspension.

  5. kenny says:

    PLEASE NO COMPLACENCY TONIGHT SEVILLE, JUST GET THE JOB DONE FOR MY TREBLE