Granada CF vs Ath Bilbao prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-12-09 15:15.
Granada failed to get an immediate bounce from a mid-season change of manager, though it would have come as an enormous shock if the relegation contenders were able to take any points home from Real Madrid (L 2-0). A more appropriate litmus test of whether new boss Alexander Medina has made an immediate and positive impact will be this home clash against Athletic Bilbao, a side they defeated in each of their last four competitive home H2Hs.
All but one of Granada’s seven La Liga (LL) points this season were collected at home, including three draws against top-half clubs, so Medina probably has the right to demand a strong showing despite Granada languishing in the drop zone. And if they could finally register their first clean sheet of the LL season, then it would set Granada up nicely for the following trilogy of games against fellow strugglers Celta Vigo (away), Sevilla (home) and Cádiz (home), a set of fixtures which could define their season.
But it’s difficult to imagine Athletic’s forwards giving Granada’s defenders an easy time. Three of the four times the side has been shut out all LL season were against clubs to join them in the top six of the standings, with their near perfect W8, D4 LL record against the remainder of the competition largely responsible for their success.
Their scoring has only intensified in recent weeks too, with their current five-game unbeaten run in LL football (W3, D2) featuring an impressive 14 goals scored, albeit with eight conceded in return. The most pleasing thing for manager Ernesto Valverde was that they didn’t let Vallecano back into their most recent win (4-0), a pleasing change from earlier games in the unbeaten cycle, such as relinquishing the lead twice to Celta Vigo and once to Valencia.
Players to watch: Myrto Uzuni has been a shining light in a dark season so far for Granada, scoring in five separate LL games. Gorka Guruzeta has played a leading role in Athletic’s strong starts, with five of his seven goals this LL season coming before half-time.
Hot streak: Granada scored in each of their six most recent LL home games despite not winning any of the last five (W1, D3, L2).