Real Sociedad vs Granada preview

May 12, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Granada vs Real SociedadFourth-placed Real Sociedad aim to make another step towards Champions League qualification with three points from home game against Granada.

Los Rojiblancos sit three points clear of relegation positions and they could virtually secure La Liga survival by getting at least one point from Anoeta.

Not even the most optimistic of fans could have predicted such a successful season for Real Sociedad, who are now on the verge of claiming the final Champions League berth.

In spite of the weekend’s defeat to Getafe that ended their 15-match unbeaten streak, los Txuri-urdin are two points clear of fifth-placed Valencia with four games to go.

Seeing that they have also beaten los Che twice this season, Sociedad would finish fourth if the two teams are tied on points in the final count.

This basically means that a victory over Granda would get Philippe Montanier’s side much closer to their goal, with home win paying 1.44 (4/9) at SkyBet.

Having registered no less than 15 goals in last four home matches, la Real are 1.55 (5/9) with Ladbrokes to score at least two against Granada.

While captain Xabi Prieto is hoping to pass a fitness test, Asier Illarramendi is definitely out, although Carlos Vela has shaken off a knock and is expected to start.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Bravo – Carlos Martinez, Mikel, Inigo Martinez, De La Bella – Bergara, Pardo – Vela, Prieto, Griezmann – Agirretxe.

For the second year running Granada are heavily involved in the relegation tussle, but it looks as though they will narrowly survive yet another La Liga campaign.

Just a couple of weeks back that looked to be a very difficult task as Lucas Alcaraz’s side were on a ten-match winless run, but two narrow victories changed everything.

Granada showed a lot of improvement to record 1-0 wins over Espanyol and Malaga, with the team now sitting three points clear of their relegation rivals.

Having been pretty disappointing when facing Spain’s top sides in the road, los Rojiblancos clearly face a mountain to climb at Anoeta, and even a point from that match would be seen as a major success.

Lucas Alcaraz will have Yacine Brahimi and Recio back to the side, but Dani Benitez, Fran Rico and Hassan Yebda remain long-term worries.

Key players Odion Ighalo, Carlos Aranda and Diego Mainz all picked up knocks in the Malaga game and are doubtful for the trip to Basque country.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Roberto – Nyom, Diakhate, Mainz, Siqueira – Brahimi, Mikel Rico, Recio, Nolito – Ighalo, El-Arabi.

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