Granada vs Barcelona

Barcelona’s pursuit of La Liga top-four spots continues this weekend as they head to the Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes to take on mid-table Granada.

Granada failed to capitalise on a man advantage at relegation-threatened Elche last time out, being held to an underwhelming goalless draw to extend their unbeaten La Liga run to six matches (W3, D3). Despite experiencing a frustrating start to 2022, the home side will feel confident of extending their two-game undefeated H2H run against Barcelona (W1, D1) after winning their last three top-flight home matches in a row. Worryingly, though, Roberto Moreno’s men have failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of their nine La Liga home outings in 2021/22 so far, including the last five on the trot. The ‘Nazaries’ have averaged just 1.21 goals per league game this season, but they’ve still scored more La Liga goals (8) from outside the box than any other side to date.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have racked up back-to-back competitive wins to paint the start of 2022 with flying colours, including a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at lower-league outfit Linares in midweek Copa del Rey action. After pulling off a narrow 1-0 triumph at bottom-half Mallorca in their opening La Liga game of 2022, the struggling Catalan heavyweights could win consecutive top-flight away games for the first time this season. However, with a host of first-team stars sidelined with Covid-19 and injuries, head coach Xavi Hernandez’s bid to whittle down a one-point deficit on fourth-placed Atletico Madrid could face an acid test here. However, with Barcelona losing just one of their last nine La Liga fixtures (W4, D4), the visitors will fancy their chances at Granada, where they’ve won four of their previous five top-flight H2Hs (L1) by at least a two-goal margin.