Granada CF vs Athletic Bilbao – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | La Liga 2021-22

Spain's La Liga sets protocols for the return of fans
Spain's La Liga sets protocols for the return of fans

Granada CF will welcome Athletic Bilbao to Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes this Tuesday for what promises to be another exciting La Liga game. 

Venue: Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes (Granada)

Key Statistics

Granada have one clean sheet from their last seven league games.

The hosts are winless in their last eight games at home.

They have scored just six goals in their last eight home games.

Athletic Bilbao have kept two clean sheets from their last two games.

They have not kept a clean sheet away from home since January.

The visitors have lost just one of their last seven league games (three wins and three draws).

Head to head

Athletic Bilbao have eight wins in their last 15 head-to-head games against Granada who themselves have five wins in that period. 

Latest performances in all competitions

Granada: W-D-D-L-L

Athletic Bilboa: D-W-W-L-D

Granada 

Granada’s quest for la Liga survival continues this Tuesday when they host Bilboa.

The hosts boosted their chances of survival with a 6-2 thrashing of fellow relegation contenders Mallorca last time out. The win, which is a real statement under new manager Aitor Karanka, allowed Granada to leapfrog Mallorca out of the relegation zone. 

The new boss remains undefeated as caretaker boss (W2, D1), despite his side being considered an underdog on all three occasions, and has now steered the ‘Nazaríes’ to their longest La Liga (LL) period without defeat since Christmas.

Whilst Karanka has acknowledged that a “weight had been lifted” off his side’s shoulders, he has also demanded more aggression from his side ahead of this game. With two points against separating them and 18th placed Mallorca, Granda will be desperate to win this game to solidify their survival chances.

Possible Granada starting line-up

Luis Maximiano; Antonio Puertas, Domingos Duarte, German Sanchez, Sergio Escudero, Quini; Alex Collado, Luis Milla, Njegos Petrovic; Jorge Molina, Luis Suarez.

Injured: Sergio Escudero, Luis Suarez, Raul Torrente, Ruben Rochina, Carlos Neva

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Athletic Bilbao

While Granada are fighting to avoid relegation, their visitors are still fighting to finish the season in the top six.

Athletic Bilbao come into this game sitting in eighth position, four points behind Real Sociedad in sixth. They travel to Granda fresh from a 0-0 draw with Valencia in their last game. 

Despite the draw posing a setback in their quest to return to UEFA football for the first time since 2017/18, Athletic manager Marcelino said he was satisfied with the result of the game, claiming that his players “gave their all and outplayed their opponents.”

With just three games left to play before the season ends, the visitors will have to perform better than taking a point if they want to at least finish in the top seven and qualify for the Conference League. 

Meanwhile, Marcelino has a good personal record against Granada, winning four of his last six personal H2Hs (D2) and will be pushing his players for another strong start after they scored four first-half goals from their last two La Liga away trips (W1, D1). 

Possible Athletic Bilbao starting line-up

Unai Simon; Alex Petxa, Daniel Vivian, Inigo Martinez, Yuri Berchiche; Alex Berenguer, Mikel Vesga, Iker Mûnein, Dani Garcia; Inaki Williams, Raul Garcia.

Injured: Ohian Sancet

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None

Prediction

Granada 1-0 Bilbao