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Getafe logo
La Liga
Aug 30, 2015 at 9.30pm UK
 
Granada logo

1-2

Lafita (80')
FT(HT: 0-2)
El-Arabi (26' pen.), Isaac (29')

Preview: Getafe vs. Granada

Sports Mole takes a closer look at both sides ahead of Sunday's La Liga clash between Getafe and Granada.

Two sides looking to recover from opening-day defeats meet on Sunday when Getafe host Granada at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Just two points separated the teams last season and both clubs will be hopeful of avoiding a poor run of form so early in the campaign as they look to stay clear of the relegation zone.


Getafe

Alvaro Vazquez of Getafe CF celebrates after scoring his team's opening goal during the La Liga match between Getafe CF and UD Almeria at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on August 29, 2014© Getty Images

Getafe needed three managers to avoid relegation last season, but after Cosmin Contra, Quique Flores and Pablo Franco all moved on, Fran Escriba is in the spotlight now as he looks to guide the club through a far more comfortable campaign.

With 14th and 19th being separated by just five points, the Getafe supporters will be fully aware how fortunate they were to survive a return to the second tier of Spanish football but the club strengthened the squad in the summer by signing the likes of Moi Gomez and Bernard Mensah.

However, it was a frustrating start to the new campaign as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Espanyol after the hosts broke the deadlock with a free kick from Salva Sevilla in just the third minute.

Despite matching Espanyol for long spells, Escriba will certainly be disappointed with the lack of clear chances his side created and the loss was made even worse when Santiago Vergini picked up a red card late on.

A return to action in front of their home fans brings its own pressure, but Escriba will be optimistic that his side will find their clinical touch as they look to get points on the board before a tricky trip to Athletic Bilbao after the international break.

Recent league form: L


Granada

Granada's defender Diego Mainz celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Granada FC v Sevilla FC at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on April 19, 2015© Getty Images

If Getafe were happy to avoid relegation from last season, Granada's supporters may have only just finished their sigh of relief after a dramatic finish to their campaign.

Granada spent 20 successive matchdays in the bottom three before finally securing their La Liga status with a four-match unbeaten run which ended with a goalless draw against Atletico Madrid on the final day.

Much like Getafe, managerial changes were a regular occurrence from the club's hierarchy before they appointed Jose Ramon Sandoval, who guided the team to their success over the final four games to earn hero status with the fans.

The target remains the same for Sandoval as he looks to steer his team to another year in the top flight of Spanish football, but the former Rayo Vallecano and Sporting Gijon boss will certainly be disappointed with their start to the new season.

Granada were the only side to concede three goals on the opening weekend as they suffered a 3-1 loss at home to Eibar, and the performance against a side with similar aims is sure to come as a concern for Sandoval.

Villarreal, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Valencia await Granada after the international break, and the club's supporters will already be concerned about an extended losing run if their side fail to take something from their trip to Getafe on Sunday.

Recent league form: L


Team News

Elche's coach Fran Escriba gestures from the sidelines during the Spanish league football match Elche FC vs Valencia CF at the Martinez Valero stadium in Elche on March 20, 2015© Getty Images

Despite having very few chances to make an impact against Espanyol last week, Alvaro Vazquez should be trusted to lead the line for Getafe once again, with Pablo Sarabia in line to provide the main support to the lone striker.

Vergini and Roberto Lago are both suspended, while the hosts will also be without Karim Yoda to injury.

Granada boss Sandoval is still unable to select Fran Rico due to his own injury issues and Salva Ruiz will drop out of the side after his red card against Eibar.

Miguel Lopes could be handed his first start in a defensive reshuffle, but Youssef El-Arabi should start up front once again.

Getafe possible starting lineup:
Guaita, Alexis, Velazquez, Suarez, Vigaray, J. Rodriguez, Lacen, Leon, Gomez, Sarabia, Vazquez

Granada possible starting lineup:
Fernandez, Mainz, Babin, Foulquier, Lopes, Marquez, Perez, Ibanez, Success, Rochina, El-Arabi


Head To Head

These two sides have met eight times in La Liga, with Granada claiming three victories and Getafe earning two wins in a stretch of games which has seen neither team win by more than two goals.

Sandoval took charge of Granada for the first time against Getafe in the first week of May and celebrated a 2-1 victory to start the run which ensured they remained in La Liga for another season.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Getafe 2-0 Granada

Getafe will be keen to prove that last week's loss was the result of a sloppy start, rather than a sign that this season could be another frustrating campaign for the club's fans. Granada appeared vulnerable in defence in their opener. The hosts should capitalise to pick up the win.



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