Granada CF vs Elche Prediction & Tips
Granada’s 3-1 defeat away to Valencia left the Nazaríes just one point above the LaLiga Santander (LL) relegation zone, prompting the sacking of Catalan coach Robert Moreno. “We have only a few games left and we have to go out with a knife between our teeth,” said Germán Sánchez, one of the club’s captains, who has lost six of his last seven league games, after the Mestalla clash.
Rubén Torrecilla takes the reins at Granada on an interim basis, and his first opponents will be Elche. Elche are four points clear, but have gone four games without a win over Granada, who will be favourites in a key relegation clash. The Nazaríes have suffered just one defeat in the current campaign (G2, E3, P1).
Elche are having a very inconsistent campaign, although they maintain a small cushion from relegation. After losing narrowly to Barcelona, they are looking for three golden points to move away from the red zone of the table. Coach Francisco Rodriguez has a good record in the dugout against Granada (G3, E2, P1), but could link three consecutive league defeats on Saturday for the first time since he has been at the helm.
Away goal drought: Elche have gone 194 minutes without a goal away from home, and have conceded two or more goals in each of their last three outings. It remains to be seen whether the franjiverdes can improve on their 14 per cent away win rate in the current championship, a percentage that is too low to face the final stretch of the campaign with peace of mind (G2, E3, P9).
Players to watch: Luis Milla is the only Granada player to have scored in any of the Nazaríes’ last six LL matches (third goal in Granada 1-4 Villarreal). Milla has two assists in six meetings with Elche. He shares a surname with red-and-white midfielder Pere Milla, who has scored four of his last six away goals for Elche in LL.
Key stat: Elche have averaged just 1.67 points when opening the scoring in LL this season (G5, E5, P2).
Granada CF – Elche FREE TIPS
2-3 GOALS @ 2.25
