Granada will enter Sunday afternoon's La Liga clash against Osasuna knowing that a defeat could see their relegation to the Segunda Division confirmed with five games of the season left.
The home side are currently 19th in the table, 13 points from the safety of 17th spot, while Osasuna are 11th, one point behind 10th-placed Getafe in the battle for a top-half finish.
Match preview
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Granada are the reigning Segunda Division champions, securing a return to La Liga for the 2023-24 campaign courtesy of their success last term, but they are facing the prospect of dropping straight back down a level.
There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a hugely difficult campaign for the club, who currently sit 19th in the table, boasting only 18 points from their 32 league matches this season.
Jose Ramon Sandoval's side are 13 points behind 17th-placed Celta Vigo and therefore their relegation could be confirmed this weekend. Indeed, if they lose to Osasuna and both Celta and Mallorca triumph, then their spot in the Segunda Division for next season will be confirmed with five games left.
Granada have the second-worst home record in La Liga this season, only picking up 15 points from their 16 matches in front of their own fans, but they have managed to secure four points from their last two games, beating Alaves 2-0 before drawing 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao last time out.
It is likely to be a case of too little, too late for Granada, though, as even another win this weekend would leave them with plenty to do heading into the final straight.
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Osasuna do not have anything substantial to play for in the latter stages of the season, as they are not in the mix for a European finish and are also not going to be relegated.
That said, Los Rojillos, who finished seventh last season, will be determined to secure a top-half finish, which would represent another solid campaign for the club.
Jagoba Arrasate's side have won 11, drawn six and lost 15 of their 32 league games this season to collect 39 points, which has left them in 11th spot in the table, one point behind 10th-placed Getafe.
Osasuna have picked up 21 points from their 16 home league matches this season and have also won three of their last four La Liga games against Granada, including a 2-0 success in the reverse match back in October.
There will be a huge change at the club this summer, meanwhile, with Arrasate preparing to stand down as head coach after six years in charge, with the 45-year-old seeking a fresh challenge.
The visitors will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat at Rayo Vallecano, and they have now lost four of their last five matches in Spain's top flight, recording only one win in the process.
Team News
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Granada have doubts over three players for this match, with Kamil Jozwiak and Raul Torrente struggling with muscular issues, while Oscar Melendo has been unwell.
Due to the positive nature of the result and indeed performance against Athletic last time out, it would not be a surprise to see head coach Sandoval select the same XI this weekend.
However, there is expected to be a return in the final third of the field for Myrto Uzuni, who has found the back of the net on 10 occasions in Spain's top flight during the 2023-24 campaign.
As for Osasuna, Johan Mojica, David Garcia, Ante Budimir, Aimar Oroz and Kike Barja are all currently sidelined through injury, while Unai Garcia remains a doubt due to a muscular issue.
Catena is expected to be introduced in the middle of the defence due to the injury which David Garcia suffered in the early stages of the 2-1 defeat to Rayo last time out.
Head coach Arrasate is expected to resist the temptation to make widespread changes, though, partly due to their list of absentees, so Raul Garcia, Ruben Garcia and Ruben Pena could again feature as the front three.
Granada possible starting lineup:
Batalla; Mendez, Rubio, Miquel, Neva; Puertas, Ruiz, Gumbau, Villar; Uzuni, Boye
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Areso, Catena, Herrando, Cruz; Ibanez, Munoz, M Gomez; Ruben Garcia, Raul Garcia, Pena
We say: Granada 0-0 Osasuna
Granada have to avoid defeat here to take their fight to another match, and we are backing a goalless draw on Sunday. Osasuna have had another solid campaign, but they will be missing a number of important players this weekend, which has made it difficult to back an away success.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
