Athletic Bilbao VS Granada CF, Athletic definitely takes to leapfrog Granada

Match Time：3/8/2021 04:00 Monday  (GMT+8)

Spanish La Liga --  Athletic Bilbao   VS   Granada CF

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Following their Copa del Rey semi-final triumph in the week, Athletic Bilbao will host Granada at the Estadio San Mames on Sunday in La Liga.  

 

Three points for 10th-placed Athletic Club could see Marcelino's men leapfrog their opponents into eighth place.  

 

Match preview 

Athletic's strange season became even stranger this week after they reached their second Copa del Rey final in as many years.  

 

The postponement of the 2020 final means Marcelino's side will now play two cup finals in the space of two weeks in April. In these unprecedented days, Athletic could essentially win La Copa twice without any fans present to see them do so.  

 

With the team also winning the Spanish Super Cup earlier this season, much of Athletic's current success can be attributed to the arrival of boss Marcelino, who has turned the club's fortunes around in spectacular fashion.  

 

But Athletic are far from a cup side. Marcelino has hauled the club up the division since his arrival and the team have been performing well in recent weeks.  

 

Last time out in the league against Levante, Athletic managed to grind out a point in a 1-1 draw. Raul Garcia converted a penalty not long after the interval and Marcelino's men were unlucky not to win the game too.   

 

In what has already been a successful season for Diego Martinez's Granada side, the Andalusian outfit could cement their top-tier La Liga credentials with three points against Athletic on Sunday.  

 

Currently eighth in the league standings, a win for Granada could hoist them up into the upper echelons of the division where the fight for European football next season is really hotting up.  

 

A rarely mentioned aspect of Granada's style of football is just how dependent Martinez's side are on the team's attacking players. Having conceded 42 goals so far this campaign, Granada have the worst defensive record in the division.  Against Elche in the league last time, Granada were in devastating form, beating Fran Escriba's side 2-1 at the Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes.  

 

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form: WLDWDD  

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions): DDWDDW 

Granada La Liga form: LDDLLW  

Granada form (all competitions): DLWLLW  

 

Team News 

Marcelino has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of this weekend's La Liga action.  Absentees include midfielders Dani Garcia and Unai Lopez, who are both suspended for this tie.  

 

In comparison, Granada are in the midst of a major injury crisis and Martinez will be without a host of first-team regulars for Sunday's encounter.  

 

Yangel Herrera, Alberto Soro, Darwin Machis, Jesus Vallejo, Angel Montoro, German Sanchez, Carlos Neva and Maxime Gonalons are all currently out injured.  

 

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup: 

Simon; de Marcos, Nunez, Alvarez, Berchiche; Alex Berenguer, Lopez, Vesga, Muniain; Williams, Garcia  

 

Granada possible starting lineup: 

Silva; Foulquier, Duarte, Perez, Diaz; Herrera, Eteki, Kenedy, Quina, Puertas; Molina    

 

Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Granada