Preview: Granada vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Madrid will be looking to take another huge step towards winning La Liga when they travel to Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes to face Granada on Monday night.

Los Blancos are just two victories away from clinching the title, but Granada have top-six ambitions and will enter this match off the back of a three-game unbeaten run in Spain's top flight.

Match preview

Granada secured a return to La Liga for the current season courtesy of finishing second in the Segunda Division last term and therefore consolidating at this level was always going to be their number one target.

El Grana have not finished higher than 15th in Spain's top flight since the 1973-74 campaign but are currently in the mix for a top-six spot, which would be some achievement for the newly-promoted side.

As it stands, Diego Martinez's side are ninth in the table, just three points behind sixth-placed Getafe as they bid to sneak into the Europa League positions.

Granada actually struggled for form immediately after the lockdown period, but they have picked up seven points from their last three matches and recorded an impressive 3-2 victory at Real Sociedad on Friday.

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Madrid, meanwhile, made it eight straight La Liga victories with a 2-0 success over Alaves on Friday, with Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio on the scoresheet for Zinedine Zidane's side.

The capital giants are now four points clear of second-placed Barcelona, who will be looking to stay in touch when they face Real Valladolid on Saturday night.

Should the reigning champions lose against Valladolid then Madrid can clinch the title by beating Granada, but it would be a surprise if the title race was not still live entering the final two games of the season.

Regardless of what Barca manage to do in their final three matches, two wins would be enough for Zidane's side to wrestle the title away from the Catalan giants, which would be some achievement.

Madrid have been in wonderful form since returning to action last month, winning all eight of their league matches, including each of their last three on their travels.

Granada La Liga form: LDLWDW

Real Madrid La Liga form: WWWWWW

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Team News

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Granada will again be without the services of Maxime Gonalons, Alex Martinez, Quini and Neyder Lozano through injury, but Alvaro Vadillo could overcome a stomach issue in time for Monday's clash.

Darwin Machis and Ramon Azeez are both pushing for spots in the XI after appearing as substitutes in the impressive 3-2 win at Sociedad on Friday night.

Martinez is largely expected to keep faith with the side that started at the Anoeta, although there will be some changes to guard against fatigue.

As for Madrid, Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal are both available after missing the clash against Alaves through suspension, but fellow defender Nacho remains on the sidelines with a muscular problem.

Marcelo is also expected to miss the rest of the 2019-20 La Liga season with an adductor injury, but Eden Hazard featured as a substitute against Alaves after concerns over an ankle issue.

Hazard could now return to the starting XI, while Federico Valverde's energy could be preferred to Luka Modric's experience in the middle of the park.

Zidane has plenty of options for change when it comes to the final third, but Asensio is again expected to keep out the likes of Isco, Gareth Bale and Vinicius Junior to start on the right.

Granada possible starting lineup:
Silva; Foulquier, Diaz, Vallejo, Duarte, Neva; Machis, Herrera, Azeez, Puertas; Soldado

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Valverde; Hazard, Benzema, Asensio