Villarreal vs Granada CF Prediction & Betting Tips (3 March)

Villarreal has, since the end of the group stage of the Europa League, qualified for the round of 16 of the competition thanks in particular to its first place obtained ahead of Rennes. Next week, this team will play OM, Marcelino's former club. The Spanish coach took over the Villarreal bench during the season and, apart from Europe, we cannot say that it was a great success. Indeed, the Yellow Submarine is far from the race for Europe, occupying a very average 13th place at the start of this day. However, we feel a desire to react among the players dressed in yellow since they remain on a very good series of six days without setbacks in La Liga but only two victories, against Barça 3-5, and last weekend, on the turf of Real Sociedad 1-3. Small red flag all the same since it's been three games since the locals have not won in their lair with 3 draws conceded against Getafe, Cadiz and Mallorca, three opponents in the second half of the table.

Champion of D2 last year a season after its relegation, Granada wasted no time in returning to the elite but this club still seems too fair to hope to stay there and is heading straight towards a second relegation in 3 years. 19th at the start of this day, El Grana is 7 points behind the first non-relegation Celta Vigo, with a match late. Furthermore, the Andalusians have only won 2 small matches since the start of the season. Last weekend, the Rojiblancos did not play and therefore still remain on a series of six unsuccessful matches in La Liga including three successive draws against Las Palmas 1-1, at Barcelona in an improbable scenario 3-3 and against Almeria, red lantern without a win this season 1-1 last weekend.

For the trip to Real Sociedad last weekend, Marcelino had to compose his squad without the usually starting right side Foyth (seriously injured), Pedraza (left side), the hopeful Pino (ruptured cruciate ligaments) , midfielder Denis Suarez (rotation) and Ramon Terrats (rotation). Even today, there is a strong possibility that these players will be unavailable. Let's add the suspension for accumulation of yellow cards of senior defender Jorge Cuenca. On the other hand, the scorers Sörloth (9 goals, 4 assists in La Liga) and Gerard Moreno (10 goals, 2 goals in La Liga) will be present and they will try to cause harm to the Andalusian defense.

Suspended against Almeria, Miquel ( 1 goal, 1 assist in 24 appearances in La Liga) will probably be back while Gumbau will not be able to play since he still has to serve his suspension (accumulation of yellow cards) which should have been served last weekend but the club didn't play. Remember that the central defender on loan from Real Madrid, Jesus Vallejo is injured like the replacement goalkeeper Raul Fernandez, Mendez (1 goal in 5 appearances since his arrival from Corinthians this winter) and Puertas. Having left for Bayern mid-season, Zaragoza is still the 2nd top scorer in this squad with 6 goals while Uzuni (top scorer in D2 last year with 23 goals) has overtaken him with 7 goals.