Barcelona travel to Granada on the final day of the La Liga season with the league title hanging finely in the balance. The Catalans have everything to play for on the final day of the season, with Real Madrid just one point behind in the race. Barcelona are guaranteed the title if they win but Real Madrid can still win the title if the Catalan side draw or lose and they win their game. Granada, on the other hand, have nothing to play for as they secured safety from relegation by defeating Sevilla 4-1 last weekend.
Team News
Granada
The home side will miss out on Nigerian striker Isaac Success and defenders Diego Mainz and Salva Ruiz to injury. Apart from the three, they have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Barcelona
The complete first team squad has travelled together for this fixture in a bid to boost team unity and also because they could win the title this weekend. Sandro Ramirez and Claudio Bravo will miss out due to injury and the squad will have to be cut down to 18 for match day.
Probable lineups
Granada (4-4-2): Fernandez; Lopes, Babin, Costa, Biraghi: Krhin, Doucoure, Perez, Cuenca; El-Arabi, Penaranda
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Alves, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic; Messi, Suarez, Neymar
Recent Form
Granada, for six weeks were just one place above the relegation zone. With their La Liga status under threat, they embarked on a run of three wins in four games where they defeated Levante, Las Palmas and Sevilla. These wins ensured Granada’s safety from the drop zone and the club have nothing to play for now.
Last 5 matches L-W-L-W-W (Last match Sevilla 1-4 Granada)
Barcelona suffered a poor run in April when they dropped nine points, allowing Real Madrid to close the gap to within one point of the leaders at the top of the table. Barca’s form has improved since and they are on a run of four consecutive wins where they have scored 21 goals without conceding.
Last 5 matches L-W-W-W-W (Last match Barcelona 5-0 Espanyol)
What the managers had to say
Luis Enrique said that Barcelona would approach this fixture like any other match in the season, despite the La Liga title being on the line. The retired Barcelona midfielder said, “We are planning for the last league game just like we did for the previous 37 and it will be difficult, for sure.''
The Barcelona manager added, “I am sure that in some moments of the game we will suffer, because Granada will attack, so we have to be focused”. “These types of games can have a lot of tension and you have to relax the players.”
Also read: Granada goalkeeper suggests Real Madrid might offer bonus for stopping Barcelona
Reports of Real Madrid providing suitcases full of cash to Granada for taking points off Barcelona had emerged over the week after Granada goalkeeper Ivan Kelava suggested Real Madrid could provide the Granada players a financial incentive. These rumours were trashed by the Granada manager who said, “Throwing false accusations does seem very unfair and I think that should be punished.''
Granada head coach, Jose Gonzalez said at the pre-match press conference, “I have to face the match with the best possible mood and forget the bickering.” Speaking of his approach to the game, he said, “We must defend very well, know what we will face and use our weapons in the best possible way.''
Key Battle
Luis Suarez vs Babin
Suarez as arguably been the deadliest striker across Europe this season and leads Cristiano Ronaldo in the Pichichi race. The Uruguayan will be looking to continue his run of good form by helping Barcelona win the league by winning their last fixture against Granada. Suarez recently said, “If we aren't champions, then winning the Pichichi is worth nothing”
These words should be taken as a warning by the Granada defence, especially central defender Babin, who is most likely to be troubled by Suarez’s intelligence and guile.
Prediction
Granada 1-3 Barcelona
Granada will be looking to wreck the Barcelona party by causing an upset resulting in a win for the home side. Barcelona should be too hungry for Granada, who have nothing to play for. The Catalans quality and attacking prowess will be too much for Granada who should end up on the losing side.
