Barcelona vs Granada 20/01/20

20 January 2020

Quique Setien is set to make his managerial debut at Barcelona this weekend when the Catalans take on out-of-sorts Granada at the Camp Nou.

Although unbeaten in eight consecutive league matches, the hosts have picked up just one win in their last three La Liga (LL) fixtures (D3). But, Barcelona’s recent league games have overseen some action, with four of their previous five matches producing over 3.5 goals and seeing both teams score. Still, the Catalans have been a force to be reckoned with when at home this term, winning all but one of their nine LL home fixtures (D1). Furthermore, except for a goalless draw with Real Madrid, the reigning holders have bagged over 1.5 goals in all eight of their remaining league matches at the Camp Nou, opening the scoring on seven of those occasions. Things get better for the home fans here, as Barca have won all six of their previous top-flight home H2Hs with Granada, shutting the visitors out in the last five.

Meanwhile, the returnees are desperate to put an end to their disastrous five-game losing away streak, and they can draw inspiration from the fact they outscored Barcelona 2-0 in the reverse fixture back in September. A problem for the Nazaries is their inability to keep a clean sheet and respond after conceding the first goal. They’ve, in fact, shipped the opening goal in seven of nine LL road trips so far this season, returning just two points from those fixtures (D2, L5). Also, all five of their previous LL away defeats have come via a margin of multiple goals, with three of them seeing Granada trailing 2-0 at the halftime.