The La Liga title race once again took a turn this week as Barcelona could only muster a 3-3 draw against Levante away from home. Barcelona were pegged back three times during the game.
Now, Real Madrid have the chance to move back into second place and potentially first place on Thursday night with a win against Granada. Los Blancos will play 24 hours after league leaders Atletico Madrid.
ℹ️ Mañana jueves de 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘇𝗼. #EternaLucha #GranadaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/uTDqTSCoxs— Granada CF ❤️⚪️ (@GranadaCdeF) May 12, 2021
ℹ️ Mañana jueves de 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘇𝗼. #EternaLucha #GranadaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/uTDqTSCoxs
If Atletico Madrid drop points to Real Sociedad on Wednesday, the title will be in Real Madrid’s hands. All Zinedine Zidane’s team must do is win their final three games.
On Thursday night, they visit 10th-place Granada CF. Los Rojiblancos have nothing left to play for this season but will fancy throwing another spanner in the works of the La Liga title race. Granada went to Camp Nou and won 2-1 against Barcelona just a week ago.
Real Madrid claimed a 2-0 win against Granada in the reverse fixture at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium. Casemiro and Karim Benzema scored in the second half to lead Los Blancos to the win. Granada did make the reigning champions work for the victory.
Diego Martinez has several players on the Granada CF injury and/or suspension list going into the Thursday night fixture. Striker Roberto Soldado is suspended and will play no part in the fixture. Midfielder Kenedy could make the squad. He is nearing a return from an ankle injury.
Jesus Vallejo is a doubt due to a knock while Carlos Neva is suffering from a hamstring injury. Luis Milla and Neydar Lozano are both doubts due to their respective injuries. Lozano has been out long-term due to a skull fracture.
Zidane is once again without Sergio Ramos. The captain is now suffering from a hamstring injury. News reports indicate the club and Ramos have been unable to agree a new contract as well. Full-back Ferland Mendy is still out of action following a calf injury.
Defenders Raphael Varane and Dani Carvajal are both suffering from injuries. Both have muscle issues that will likely keep them out of the fixture. Meanwhile, Lucas Vazquez is still recovering from a knee injury.
Real Madrid nearly blew their title hopes last weekend versus Sevilla. The team needed a second-half stoppage-time goal from Eden Hazard to draw 2-2. They shouldn’t have trouble with Granada and should win the match.
The victory could propel the side into first place depending on Atletico Madrid’s result against Real Sociedad on Wednesday.
Real Madrid have won 11 straight league games against Granada and should make it 12 consecutive wins this week.