Real Madrid v Granada
15:00
At 1-2 down at home to Deportivo in their last game prior to the winter break, Real’s record of 34 matches unbeaten in all competitions looked in danger, but late Marcelo and Sergio Ramos goals ensured their remarkable streak continued. Indeed, they extended that record with their success at the Club World Cup and with a three point lead at the top of the table and a game in hand, Zidane’s men should prove tough to reel in. Granada are down in 19th after narrowly avoiding relegation last term and with just one win all season, they’re staring down the barrel this time around.
Real have won seven of their last eight, but they’ve been vulnerable at the back as they’ve kept only two clean sheets in 11. That was due largely to the absence at various periods of Ramos, Pepe, Casemiro and Modric, and the former is suspended for this one while Pepe is also a doubt. They’ve kept just one clean sheet in nine at the Bernabeu, despite hosting four bottom-six teams in that period, though with the attacking talent at their disposal, outscoring the opposition isn’t usually a problem.
Granada have picked up only three points from their seven road games so far, but they’ve scored in all but one of these, including in a 7-1 hammering at Real’s city rivals Atletico. The handicap’s been set at -3 for this one, but since Real haven’t won by more than three in any of their last 10 at home, we’re a little weary of backing that so instead we’re going for the home win and both teams to score, as has been the case in six of Real’s last seven wins at the Bernabeu and in five of Granada’s last six away defeats.
Recommendation: Real Madrid to Win and Both Teams to Score at 2.38
