Preview: Granada vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups

Granada and Osasuna square off in La Liga on Sunday afternoon looking for the victory which will take them further clear of the relegation zone.

Heading into the weekend, these two clubs sit in 14th and 13th place respectively after each losing their last league fixture.

Match preview

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Having defeated Atletico Madrid before the Christmas break, Granada were in high spirits, but they have been brought back down to Earth since the resumption.

While they had every reason to be delighted with a 1-1 draw at home to Barcelona, just one point was collected from games against Elche and Getafe.

The 4-2 defeat last time out ended their seven-match unbeaten streak in Spain's top flight, a run which has at least enabled them to sit seven points above the bottom three.

Although there is a desire to kick on over the second half of the campaign, Nazaries face a tough upcoming schedule with trips to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad to follow Sunday's clash.

Luis Suarez ended a seven-match wait for a goal at Getafe, the Colombian attacker netting a double to take his tally for the campaign to six strikes.

Osasuna have endured a far less productive period than their hosts, Jagoba Arrasate's team losing four of their last five fixtures in all competitions.

To their credit, they responded to losing to Girona in the Copa del Rey with an important victory over Cadiz, keeping their relegation rivals down towards the bottom of the table.

Nevertheless, they lost out 2-0 at Celta Vigo earlier this week, allowing their opponents to move ahead of them in the standings.

The reverse fixture between these sides took place on October 22, the spoils being shared after Angel Montoro scored his only goal of the season in the final minute.

Team News

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With a three-day turnaround after a defeat, Moreno will almost certainly make several changes to his Granada XI, including handing a recall to Domingos Duarte.

Montoro is an alternative to Isma Ruiz in the middle of the pitch, while Sergio Escudero will feel that he could be given a fifth start of the campaign at left-back.

Defender Santiago Arias is on the brink of a return to the squad after a hamstring injury.

Osasuna will continue to be without David Garcia and Unai Garcia after they both tested positive for coronavirus earlier this week.

At least one of Chimy Avila or Kike Garcia are expected to be recalled in the final third, while Roberto Torres is also an option down the right-hand side.

Granada possible starting lineup:
Maximiano; Quini, Sanchez, Duarte, Escudero; Puertas, Milla, Montoro, Machis; Suarez, Molina

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Vidal, Dufur, Cruz, Cote; Moncayola, Torro, Brasanac; Torres, Budimir, K. Garcia

We say: Granada 1-1 Osasuna

Given their current standing in the table, both teams are aware that a draw will keep them well out of trouble. With that in mind, do not be surprised to see a low-scoring share of the spoils play out on Sunday.

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