Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
There will be fireworks when Granada and Betis lock horns in a small Andalusian derby on Thursday evening. Granada aim to put an end to their three-game losing run, but they face a difficult task in the midweek clash. Both Rubio and Vallejo continue to miss out with injuries, while Gonzalo Villar is pushing for a start after coming as a substitute in a 1-0 loss to Las Palmas.
Los Beticos, on the other hand, dropped two points in a 1-1 draw with Cadiz, but a win in the Andalusian derby could see them climb to the Conference League berth. Given Granada’s shaky defence, we predict that Manuel Pelegrini’s men are going to pick up all three points from the match. The likes of William Carvalho, Nabil Fekir, Youssouf Sabaly, and Rui Silva have been struggling with injuries of late, speaking of the visiting team.
Highlighted Player (Willian José):
Well-travelled Brazilian international Willian Jose was born in Porto Calvo and made his first football steps at a local Clube de Regatas. It was at the age of 17 that he was snapped by Gremio Barueri where he made 26 league appearances and scored six goal in his first – and only – senior season at the club.
In 2011, Willian Jose moved to Deportivo Maldonado but his five-year stint with the Uruguay outfit was marked by no less than seven different loan spells, one of which was to La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid. Standing at 186cm tall, Willian Jose is a notable presence in the box. This powerful centre forward will use his physicality to hold up ball and bring his teammates into play.
The Brazilian international did well to make a name for himself in Spain by playing for Zaragoza and Las Palmas, respectively, before he sealed a permanent move to Real Sociedad in 2016. A member of both FIFA U-20 World Cup and South American Youth Championship winning sides with Brazil in 2011, Willian Jose has not been given a chance to prove his worth at the senior level with Selecao.
Highlighted Team (Granada):
Granada are an Andalusian football club that plays in Spanish La Liga. The club were founded on 14 April, 1931 and they have yet to win the Primera Division trophy. El Grana, though, booked their place in the Spanish Cup final in 1959, but Barcelona proved to be a big catch for the Andalusian outfit.
Granada host their rivals at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes, the stadium that was built in 1995. The capacity of the stadium is 23,934. Granada’s main rivals are fellow Andalusian team Sevilla, but Real Betis are regarded as the club’s bitter rivals as well.
The likes of Yacine Brahimi, Juan Aguero, Gustavo Benitez, Pahinho, Denis Milar, Julio Montero Castillo, Capi, Cesar and Jose Mingorance are famous players that were part of the Estadio El Sadar outfit in the past. The original colour of Granada’s kits were blue and white, but after the Spanish Civil War the club chiefs bought new ones (red and white).