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Elche CF vs. Granada CF
In Spain, La Liga continues directly on 02.01. and on Sunday at 16:15 two teams from the bottom half of the table, Elche and Granada, meet. While Granada are not doing badly at all and are in a solid 12th place, Elche are only just outside the relegation places. After the home side just managed to stay in the league last year, this season is all about staying in the league.
Granada has done much better since promotion 3 years ago and even managed to reach the European competition in the first year after promotion. At the moment they have 7 points more than Elche and are well on the way to staying in the league. Find out who we see ahead on Sunday in this Elche – Granada tip.
Elche – Granada info:
– Date & Time: 02.01.2021, 16:15 Uhr
– Venue: Manuel Martinez Valero
– Competition: La Liga, Matchday 19
– TV broadcast: In Livestream at DAZN
Elche Form & Balance Check
The promoted side from 2020 is again finding it enormously difficult this season and is once again fighting for bare survival in Spain’s top division. 15 points after 18 matchdays is of course not an optimal points haul and if they keep up this average it will be very difficult to stay in the league. They are currently level on points with 18th and 19th in the table, so it is currently very close for Elche. They have to fight for every single point so that they can continue to play in the first division next year.
Was the change of coach helpful?
Nearly a month ago, the club sacked the coach in an attempt to create a new impetus. But so far the coaching effect has been rather absent, even if the games have become much more entertaining since then. Still, only 3 points from 3 games are on the books and that is simply not enough. The new coach must slowly start to solve the team’s problems, otherwise it will be tight for him as well.
Elks facts & Analysis
– The last game was lost with 2:3 against Barcelona.
– They have scored twice as many points at home as away
– Top scorer is Boyé with 5 goals
Granada form & balance check
Even though the team played in the 2nd division for an interim period a few years ago, they still make a very confident impression. The year after their last promotion, they finished sixth and were able to take part in the European competition, where they even reached the quarter-finals, but were beaten by the big club from England, Manchester United. Last season they continued to do really well nationally and finished the season in the top half of the table again in 9th place.
The Molina Phenomenon
Jorge Molina is one of the most experienced and oldest players in Spanish La Liga and will be 40 years old next year. Nevertheless, he is his team’s top scorer and has already scored 7 goals. Against Mallorca, in a 4-1 win, he set a European record as the 39-year-old is the oldest player ever to score a treble in the top 5 leagues. The Spaniard has played for the Spanish first division club since last season and has an excellent scoring record. 24 goals in 69 games is outstanding, given Molina’s age.
Granada facts & analysis
– They currently occupy 12th place in the table.
– Molina has scored a total of 5 goals in his last 3 matches.
– Granada CF have failed to score in 4 of their 9 away games this season in LaLiga
Predicted line-up – last update on 31 Dec 2021
For the home side, the two goalscorers from the last game against Barcelona are likely to slide into the side. Milla replaces Perez up front and Morente comes in for Josan on the wing. The visitors are likely to make only one forced change, with Arias injured in the make-up game against Atlético and likely to be forced to rest. The first replacement is Victor Diaz.
Elche – Granada direct comparison & stats
Granada are something of Elche’s fearsome opponents and in 24 direct encounters in the league, Elche have only won four times. Granada have been victorious 10 times and have won 5 of their last 6 games against the home side.
– Granada CF’s current performance in La Liga is better than Elche CF’s.
– Last season Granada CF won both matches against Elche CF (2-1 at home and 1-0 away)
– Granada have scored at least one goal in 13 of their last 15 matches
