International Football News, National Soccer Teams, Previews International football in bite-size pieces
Related Articles
Kick off: Monday, 19.10. 2015. @20:30
Venue: Estadio Municipal el Molinon
Head to head record
Granada vs Sporting Gijon 2-1 (La Liga)
Sporting Gijon vs Granada 2-0 (La Liga)
Sporting Gijon vs Granada prediction
Monday’s match at Estadio Municipal El Molinon sees newcomers Sporting Gijon take on rock-bottom Granada on day 8 of the 2015/2016 la Liga campaign. Los Granadinos are eyeing their only second win of the season, but it remains to be seen if they are capable of putting an end to their five-game winless run.
Alen Halilovic – the key to success
Sporting Gijon are eager to record a good result in the 2015/2016 la Liga campaign, on their return to the Spanish top flight. The newcomers have been producing good displays this season and on-loan signing Alen Halilovic is undisputedly the team’s key player. The “new Luka Modric” scored in a 2-1 win at Espanyol before the international break and, no doubt, all eyes will be on the former Dinamo Zagreb player when Sporting welcome Granada at their “El Molinon” on Monday. Los Rojiblancos have yet to record a win at home ground this season and they surely want to put an end to the negative trend. Paraguayan youngster Arnaldo Sanabria has netted two goals this term, but seeing that he is out of contention, Carlos Castro will lead the line for the hosts. It has to be noted that Sporting Gijon will climb to the top half of the standings should they happen to beat Granada on Monday.
Goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar and aforementioned attacker Sarabia are both sidelined with injury. Coach Abelardo has no other selection worries ahead of the Granada game.
Hard times at “Los Carmenes”
Yet another tough challenge is ahead of Granada. Los Granadinos made a slow start to the season and, as a result, they hit the bottom in la Liga standings. The Andalusian side have recorded only one win in the national championship this term and the team have been struggling in front of goal of late. Sandoval’s men head into Monday’s relegation six-pointer against Sporting Gijon with the lack of confidence, but one thing is for sure: the visitors will leave their hearts on the field this time out. Granada need to overcome the crisis, but I think they would be happy should they happen to share the spoils with the newly-promoted side at “Molinon”. Morocco international Youssef El-Arabi has netted no more than one goal in the 2015/2015 Primera Division campaign, but he is surely capable of making life difficult for los Rojiblancos. Yet another man to watch in the away team will be Ruben Rochina, who has made seven appearances this term.
Ruben Perez returns to contention after overcoming his respective injury, meaning that coach Sandoval will have a full squad to choose from this time out. Nigerian winger Isaac Success is likely to start the match from the bench.
Sporting Gijon vs Granada betting tip
It has been three years since Sporting Gijon and Granada last faced each other in Primera Division. Back then los Granadinos outplayed los Rojiblancos in Andalusia, but in their last meeting at “El Molinon” Sporting defeated Granada. Alen Halilovic has been producing scintillating displays at the start of the new season and I believe that the time has come for Abelardo’s men to record their first home win of the season. Taking everything into account, there is a certain value in betting on the home team.
Tip: Home win
Odds: 2.05 (21/20) @Unibet
[fixture match_id=”4020161752953978274072217″ type=”odds”]
