Evening all! Week 19 in La Liga begins this evening as Granada welcome Real Valladolid to the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes. The home side have struggled in recent weeks after a positive start, but Valladolid have problems of their own with a total of 16 points from their 18 matches leaving them only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won one of the last three, with the other ending in a draw. As mentioned, the corresponding match last season ended in a 1-1 draw, but Valladolid were 1-0 winners on their own patch in November 2012. A Segunda Division clash in February 2011, meanwhile, ended in a 3-2 away win for Granada.

TEAMS:

GRANADA: Roberto; Nyom, Mainz, Murillo, Angulo; Iturra, Rico, Recio; Brahimi, El-Arabi, Piti

VALLADOLID: Marino; Rukavina, Rueda, Valiente, Pena; Rubio, Rossi, Perez; Oscar, Guerra, Omar

So there we have it. Dani Benitez returns to the Granada bench this evening following a long-term injury. Diego Buonanotte also starts on the bench, but there are spots in the first XI for Fran Rico and Recio. Meanwhile, Youssef El-Arabi will lead their line. Valladolid have Javi Guerra fit following a slight injury, with the striker gaining support from Omar Ramos and Oscar.

Granada have won just two of their last six games in the league, with four defeats during that run of fixtures leaving them in 13th spot in the table. They were beaten 3-0 by Almeria last weekend, with their last win in the league coming on the road to Rayo Vallecano on December 14. As it stands, they are four points outside of the relegation zone.

Granada’s home form has been a problem this season with just two wins from their nine games on their own patch, losing seven times in the process. That is in contrast to their away form, where they have won four of their nine matches. Only four teams in La Liga have won more matches on their travels than Granada.

Defensively, Granada have also been fairly solid this season with 25 goals conceded in their 18 matches, keeping five clean sheets in the process. Valladolid, meanwhile, have conceded 29 times. Down the other end, however, Granada have netted just 15 goals, which is the joint-worst total in the league, while Valladolid have netted 21.

Remarkably, 11 of Valladolid’s 21 league goals this season have come from Javi Guerra, who is believed to be a transfer target for a number of clubs. As it stands, they sit in 17th position in the table having won just three of their 18 matches this season, losing eight times in the process. A heavy defeat this evening could see them drop into the relegation zone by the end of the evening.

They have really struggled on the road this season with just one win from their nine matches, drawing three and losing five times in the process. Their home form has not been much better with just two wins, four draws and three defeats. It is imperative that they start putting a run together at this stage of the campaign.

PREDICTION: Neither side enters this particular match in the best of form, but Valladolid's problems far outweigh those of their opponents. Both managers have selected attacking sides this evening, which points to goals, but I am leaning towards Granada on their own patch. My score prediction is 3-1 Granada at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for goals on this mild evening in Granada. The away side get the action underway.

Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is a strong atmosphere. You just get the feeling that Granada need to keep the fans onside in the early stages. Not too much to report in the opening couple of minutes with both sides attempting to settle on the ball in the middle of the park.

It's bright work on the counter from the home side as Recio combines with Piti before releasing El-Arabi, but the forward is crowded out at the vital moment. Valladolid are struggling to keep hold of the ball in the early exchanges with Guerra already cutting an isolated figure in the final third.

CHANCE! The first real chance of the match comes to the home side as Brahimi drives into the Valladolid box before rolling a low cross into the area, but Pena is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Had the Spaniard not intervened, Piti would have had a simple finish at the far post.

The home side continue to force the issue in wide areas with Nyom and Murillo prepared to advance into the Valladolid half whenever possible. Guerra continues to battle for possession in the Valladolid attack, but has been left isolated thus far. Still goalless with nine minutes on the clock in this La Liga contest.

CHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Piti capitalises on some slack Valladolid defending before facing up to Marino, but the goalkeeper makes a fine save from his curling effort. Granada should be ahead here.

The pressure continues from the home side as Brahimi meets a through pass from Piti, but Marc Valiente is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The resulting corner is delivered towards the near post, but once more Valiente clears.

Oh my word! What a goal! Granada take the lead after 12 minutes as Murillo produces a stunning bicycle kick from the edge of the area after Brahimi had delivered. That is one of the goals of the season thus far.

Valladolid are lucky that they are just one behind at this stage of proceedings as Granada continue to force the issue. Murillo is involved down the left as he beats two defenders before delivering a cross towards Piti, but Marino is on hand to collect. It is imperative that the away side quell the danger for the next five minutes or so. Another goal for Granada could end this contest.

The home supporters are in fine voice at the moment with their side utterly dominating possession of the ball. Not too much in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, however, with Valladolid putting numbers behind the ball. It is not too difficult to see why Valladolid have struggled this season. Without Guerra, they would surely be in the relegation zone.

First half-chance of the match for Valladolid as Omar finds some space outside the box before trying his luck, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Granada counter down the other end moments later, but Piti cannot move past the challenge of Rossi at the final moment. Still 1-0 with 20 minutes on the clock.

CHANCE! Granada come close to their second as Piti strikes a dipping free kick from the edge of the box, but Marino manages to tip it over the crossbar at the vital moment.

The home side score their second following a horror moment from Marino. The Valladolid goalkeeper comes to collect a corner from Rico, but gets nowhere near the ball - handing Recio the simple task of converting from close range.

Well, that could be game over after just 25 minutes. Valladolid continue to cause their own problems in defence. The home side are not finished as Murillo breaks down the left with a powerful run, but Rossi is across to clear at the vital moment. One-way traffic as the first period continues to gather pace.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Valladolid have started to enjoy more of the ball in the Granada half, but are struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third.

Another half-chance for the home side as Brahimi finds some space inside the box before attempting to find El-Arabi with a low cross, but Marino is on hand to collect. Guerra calls for a penalty down the other end moments later, but the referee is not interested. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.

Brahimi continues to cause problems to the away side as he cuts inside two defenders before striking towards goal, but Rueda is on hand to block. Moments later, a terrific delivery from Brahimi is collected by Marino, who has had an extremely eventful 32 minutes of football thus far.

Opportunity for Granada to threaten from a free kick as Murillo is felled by Rukavina. The resulting set piece is delivered by Rico, but Pena is on hand to clear, before the offside flag hands Valladolid some respite. It is difficult to see how they can turn this match around as Granada continue to utterly dominate proceedings at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.

CHANCE! Guerra remains the main threat for Valladolid as he collects a loose ball outside the box before flashing an effort towards the bottom corner, but Roberto is across to make a fine save. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining. It has just flown past.

Brahimi has been in sensational form this half and he demonstrates his attacking ability once more with a mazy run and dangerous cross, but there are no takers despite Piti's presence at the far post. You just get the feeling that a third goal would put this game to bed, even at this stage of proceedings. It would be Granada's first league win in three matches.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of a number of late challenges. Valladolid have the chance to threaten from a free kick as Piti fells Rubio outside the box, but Iturra is on hand to clear with a towering header. Set pieces could be the best avenue for the away side this evening.

As it stands, Granada would move into ninth spot in the table, while Valladolid would indeed drop into the relegation zone. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the latter stages of the half, but Valladolid have started to enjoy more of the ball. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Granada leading 2-0 at the interval. They took the lead through Murillo after 12 minutes, before Recio made it 2-0 10 minutes later. Valladolid improved as the half developed, but have it all to do in the second period.

STATISTICS: The home side have had more of the possession with 58%, while they have had seven attempts, four of which have been on target, to Valladolid's two. As it stands, the away side would drop into the bottom three on goal difference.

BENCH WATCH: Granada have a wealth of attacking talent on their bench this evening with the likes of Dani Benitez, Buonanotte, Riki and Pereira all in reserve. Meanwhile, Valladolid have options in the shape of Manucho, Larsson, Sastre and Rama.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the contest. Right, the home side get the second 45 minutes underway at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.

One change for Valladolid at the interval with Daniel Larsson replacing Bergdich. Larsson is involved almost immediately as he meets a through ball from Guerra, but Mainz is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Fairly low-key start to the second period.

Larsson is again involved for Valladolid as he meets a through pass from Guerra, but Mainz is on the scene to clear once more. Positive signs for the away side in the early exchanges here, but scoring goals has been a problem. Guerra has the ball in the back of the net following a cross from Oscar, but the striker had been in an offside position.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides struggling to find that elusive pass in the final third. Granada have not really been allowed to start with Valladolid much brighter than the first half. Larsson wants a penalty as the ball appears to strike a hand inside the box, but the referee is not interested.

Opportunity for Granada to threaten from a free kick as Pena fells Nyom down the right. The resulting set piece is taken by Piti, but Oscar is on hand to clear the danger. It falls to Brahimi, but his effort is high and wide of the target. It remains 2-0 after 55 minutes of this La Liga contest.

Granada have their third and Recio has his second as he dances into the Valladolid box before placing a low effort into the bottom corner. That should be game, set and match.

That goal will have really hurt Valladolid, who were in the middle of their best spell of the match. One more, they have caused their own problems in defence. A half-chance arrives as Pena meets a loose ball inside the Granada box, but he turns wide of the post.

Just a reminder that, as it stands, Granada would move into ninth spot in the table, while Valladolid would drop into the bottom three. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Valladolid continue to force the issue with a couple of corners in quick succession. I have a feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening.

Half-chance for Valladolid as Omar Ramos strikes one from just inside the box, but his effort rises high and wide of the crossbar. Valladolid look to their bench moments later as Baraja replaces Sastre. Little under 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.

CHANCE! Oh my word what a miss! Valladolid come close to their first as Rossi puts it on a plate for Larsson inside the box, but the striker fires wide from close range. That would have handed the away side a hint of a chance in the final stages.

Granada are forced into a change here as Coeff replaces Murillo, who limps off with a suspected injury. Not too much from the home side in terms of an attacking threat in the last couple of moments, but they have already done their damage this evening.

Possession football for Granada in the last couple of moments as they continue to pass and probe outside the Valladolid box, but the better chances have fallen to the away side in the second period. Guerra again tries his luck from distance following a smart turn, but his effort is straight at Roberto.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments with a number of late challenges in the middle of the park. Coeff clashes with Guerra, which leads to a period of treatment for the Granada midfielder. Little under 20 minutes of this Spanish contest remaining. Granada are heading for a comprehensive three points.

The Mexican Wave has descended upon the stadium, which is an indication of events on the field in the last few moments. In truth, this match ended as a contest when Granada scored their third. Valladolid remain a threat, but the majority of their efforts have been from outside the box.

CHANCE! Granada come close to scoring a fourth as Brahimi drives into the box before finding Piti, but his powerful effort, which appeared to have beaten Marino, is blocked by Valiente. Valladolid are down the other end with Guerra moments later, but Mainz is across to clear for a corner.

Half-chance for El-Arabi to score a fourth for Granada as he drives past two defenders before attempting to find the bottom corner, but his effort just drops wide of the post. Little over 10 minutes of this Spanish contest remaining, with Granada set to move into ninth spot in the table.

Granada have their fourth of the match as El-Arabi turns home from close range following a Mainz header, but replays have shown that the striker was in an offside position.

It gets worse for Valladolid. They face a big fight to remain in the league this season that is for certain. Granada have not been in the best of form in recent weeks, but have hit them for four this evening. Little under 10 minutes of this La Liga contest to play.

Valladolid just need to be a little bit careful here as they continue to dive into late challenges. It would not be a surprise to see the referee issue a couple more cards in the latter stages. Granada are utterly coasting as they continue to boss possession in the Valladolid half.

Granada look to their bench once more as Recio, who has scored twice this evening, is replaced by Pereira. Valladolid threaten on the counter moments later, but Rossi's cross is straight into the arms of Roberto.

The home supporters are in fine voice at the moment as their side continues to force the issue in the latter stages. Pereira's first involvement is to whip a dangerous cross into the area, but Rukavina is on hand to clear under pressure from El-Arabi. Granada make their third and final change moments later as Riki replaces El-Arabi.

Piti attempts the spectacular as he spots Marino off his line, but the Valladolid stopper manages to adjust and make the save. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the first of those.

One final chance for Valladolid as Guerra is fouled outside the box. The resulting set piece is taken by Rossi, but his effort is wide of the post. That should be just about that.

So there we have it. Granada score twice in each half to record a 4-0 win over Valladolid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us tomorrow from 5.30pm for live build-up of Atletico Madrid against Barcelona. Until then!