Morning all! Sunday's La Liga coverage opens from Andalusia as Granada welcome Real Betis. A run of three successive defeats has dropped the home side into 17th position in the table. However, Betis will have little sympathy. Their problems run much deeper with the Seville-based side bottom of the table on 14 points, 10 points from safety.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, each has won two of the last five matches, with the further fixture earlier this season ending in a 0-0 draw in Seville. Betis enter the match having won on each of their last two visits to this stadium – a 5-1 success last season and a 1-0 victory in the 2011/12 campaign.

TEAMS:

GRANADA: Roberto; Nyom, Ilori, Murillo, Angulo; Fatau, Rico, Recio; Brahimi, Piti, El-Arabi

BETIS: Adan; Amaya, Jordi, N'Diaye, Carlos; Verdu, Reyes, Nono; Castro, Molina, Juanfran

So there we have it. Ghanaian youngster Mohammed Fatau is selected in the Granada XI, while on-loan Liverpool defender Tiago Ilori also starts. As expected, Youssef El-Arabi leads the home team's line. Betis, meanwhile, leave Leo Baptistao and Salva Sevilla on the bench, but Jorge Molina comes into the team alongside Ruben Castro.

As mentioned, Granada currently sit in 17th position in the table on 24 points. They have won seven of their 23 matches this season, drawing three and losing 13. Despite their lowly position, Granada are just two points from 12th place, which is an indication of the closeness in the bottom half of La Liga with 15 matches remaining.

Granada's home form has been disappointing this season with just three wins from their 12 matches, losing eight times in the process, which is the joint-worst record in the league. That is in contrast to their form on the road, where they have won four times. You just get the feeling that their results in this stadium will ultimately decide where they finish.

Scoring goals has been a problem for both Granada and Betis this season, with each netting just 20 times in their 23 matches. Down the other end, however, Granada have been impressive with just 30 conceded - that is just six more than Real Madrid. However, Betis have conceded the joint-highest number in the division (52).

Betis picked up a vital three points against Espanyol at the start of the month, but took another backwards step last weekend as they were thumped 5-0 at Valencia. It is perhaps unfair to say that they are dead and buried, but it is going to take a minor miracle for them to survive. As it stands, they are on 14 points, 10 from safety.

All three of Betis' league wins this season have come on their own patch, with their away record the worst in the league. In fact, they are the only side in La Liga that has failed to win a single match on the road this season. Of their 11 matches, they have lost nine, scoring just eight times and conceding 33.

PREDICTION: Neither side enters the match in the best of form, but both managers have selected attacking lineups, which should create an open match. I am finding it difficult to separate the two teams, which has led me to a score prediction of 1-1.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for an entertaining contest. The home side get the action underway as morning becomes afternoon in Andalusia.

It must be said that there is a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. The home supporters have not had too much to shout about over the last few months, but they continue to back their side. A half-chance arrives for Recio inside two minutes as the Granada midfielder meets a cross from Angulo, but it flies high and wide of the crossbar.

DOUBLE SAVE! Granada's positive start continues as Brahimi finds some space on the edge of the box before striking towards the bottom corner, but Adan is on hand to make a smart save. The Betis stopper is quick to his feet moments later to deny El-Arabi, who had pounced on the rebound. All-action start here.

Betis just cannot keep the ball at the moment as the home side continue to force the issue in the final third. El-Arabi is once more involved as he slides a low pass towards Recio, but the Spaniard is ruled offside. Betis break with Juanfran moments later, but Nyom is on hand to clear the danger.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Granada continue to keep hold of the possession. The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments, meanwhile, due to a number of late challenges and offside calls.

Half-chance for Betis as Castro picks up possession outside the box before curling one towards the bottom corner, but Roberto is on hand to make the save. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of match. Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock in Andalusia.

The first booking of the match is handed to Nono as the Betis midfielder fells Brahimi in his own half. Granada build from the back moments later before Piti drives a low cross into the box, but Adan is on hand to collect. End-to-end football in the last few moments with Betis starting to see more of the ball in the final third.

CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Piti floats a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Brahimi cannot make contact at the vital moment. The better opportunities are falling to the home side with 15 minutes on the clock. Betis just need to stem the flow of pressure.

CHANCE! Opportunity for Betis to threaten from a free kick as Castro is felled outside the box by Rico. The resulting set piece is delivered by Verdu and met by the head of Molina, but his effort is straight at Roberto. The chances have flowed in the opening 17 minutes of this La Liga contest.

The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges, but it has not been a particularly dirty match thus far. The opening 20 minutes has flown past as the match continues to flow from end-to-end. It appears only a matter of time before the opener arrives.

Half-chance for Betis as Molina finds himself unmarked just outside the Granada box, but his first touch allows Roberto to clear the danger. Granada continue to threaten in wide positions as Angulo delivers a cross towards Piti, but Reyes clears the danger. Still goalless with 22 minutes on the clock.

Betis threaten with a couple of free kicks in quick succession, but Granada clear the danger on both occasions. Nyom is down the other end moments later, but his cross is over the crossbar. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but the intensity remains. The crowd, meanwhile, continue to raise the volume.

CHANCE! It's bright work from Brahimi as the Granada midfielder drives past Amaya down the right, but the Betis defender brings him to the ground and gains a yellow for his troubles. The resulting set piece is delivered by Piti and met by El-Arabi, but Adan makes a point-blank save.

The card count continues to raise as Nyom picks up a booking for a late challenge on Castro, who had gathered possession in wide area. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining. Still we wait for the opener, but both teams have had opportunities.

Granada break the deadlock after 31 minutes as Piti finds some space inside the Betis box before sliding his effort into the bottom corner. Brilliant finish from the Spaniard, who receives a booking for his celebration.

Betis have had their moments on the counter this afternoon, but the bulk of the chances have fallen to Granada. You just get the feeling that Betis cannot afford to concede another before the interval or it could be a repeat of last weekend's drubbing at Valencia. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.

Half-chance for Betis as Molina finds some space inside the Granada box before rolling it back towards Nono, but his effort is blocked by Angulo. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Betis have responded impressively to falling 1-0 behind.

Half-chance for the away side as Castro finds some space outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Roberto. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining, with Granada still leading by that Piti strike. However, I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals.

Untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges and injury problems. Piti is forced to leave the field for a period of treatment, but does return moments later. Murillo meets a free kick from Rico moments later, but his header is straight at Adan.

Betis force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but Nyom and Angulo take it in turns to clear the danger. The second clearance presents a counter-attacking opportunity to the home side, but Fatau is challenged by Reyes at the vital moment. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining in Andalusia.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Granada leading courtesy of a smart finish from Piti after 31 minutes. Betis have had their moments on the counter, but the clearer chances have fallen to the home side, who are looking to end a run of three consecutive defeats.

STATISTICS: The home side had 59% of the ball in the first period, while they had 10 attempts to Betis' four. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges, meanwhile, with the referee issuing four yellow cards. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.

BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Dani Benitez, Diego Buonanotte, Riki and Foulquier. Meanwhile, Betis have the likes of Leo Baptistao, Salva Sevilla and Cedrick Mabwati in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in terms of the final result. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway in Andalusia.

No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will consider alterations if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 minutes or so. It must be said that the atmosphere inside the stadium has been just terrific this afternoon. Another Granada goal would certainly raise the volume once more.

CHANCE! Betis come close to levelling as Molina meets a deep free kick from Verdu, but once more his header is straight at Roberto. The Spanish striker has had a couple of similar opportunities this afternoon, but has been unable to find the back of the net thus far.

End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as both sides continue to force the issue in the final third. El-Arabi has another sight of goal for Granada following bright work from Brahimi, but Jordi manages to clear at the vital moment. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals with the intensity on display. Both sides have a spring in their step with 53 minutes on the clock.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, but Betis are starting to see more of the ball in the final third. Twice Nono has the chance to deliver into the Granada box, but Roberto and Nyom take it in turns to clear the danger. It remains 1-0 with little over 35 minutes of football to play in Andalusia.

Sustained period of pressure from Granada in the last minute or two as they pass and probe outside the Betis box, but the away side have been compact in the second period. We are getting to the stage of the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. Both benches have attacking talent in abundance.

Plenty of clever, incisive football from Betis outside the Granada box, but they are finding it difficult to break through the rear-guard. Not too much to report in terms of chances with little over 30 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.

Granada make their first change of the match and it a surprise as Piti, who opened the scoring, is replaced by Dani Benitez, who is just back from a long-term injury. Betis continue to threaten with a series of long balls into the Granada box, but it continues to fall for a red and white shirt.

Opportunity for Betis to threaten from a free kick as Verdu is felled on the edge of the Granada box by Recio. The resulting set piece is taken by Verdu, but his effort is over the crossbar. Little over 25 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining. Still Granada lead.

Double change for Betis as Leo Baptistao and Salva Sevilla enter the field in place of Juan Carlos and Lolo Reyes. Extremely positive from the Betis boss. Benitez has a half-chance for Granada moments later, but he slices wide of the post following bright work from Brahimi.

Betis make their third and final change as Nosa enters proceedings in place of Verdu, who has once more struggled to influence proceedings. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match, but neither side has threatened since the early stages of the half. Little over 20 minutes remaining in Andalusia.

Castro threatens for Betis as he collects a quick free kick from Sevilla before facing up to Roberto, but the offside flag had been raised. Granada are down the other end with Benitez moments later, but his cross is cleared by N'Diaye, who has once more had an impressive afternoon for the Seville-based outfit.

CHANCE! El-Arabi threatens for the home side as the Granada forward spots Adan off his line following a loose pass from Nosa, but the Betis stopper manages to make the save. Little over 15 minutes of action remaining. Betis have made all three of their permitted changes this afternoon.

CHANCE! Golden opportunity for the away side as Sevilla finds Leo inside the box. The Brazilian's first touch takes him inside Nyom, but his effort is straight at Roberto. The opportunities are starting to arrive with little over 15 minutes of football remaining.

Stop-start period of the match in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges and offside calls. You can just sense the nervousness inside the stadium as Betis continue to commit numbers in the final third. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match.

Another half-chance for Leo as the Betis forward finds some space just inside the Granada box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. The away side are not too interested in defending at the moment as they continue to commit numbers in the final third.

Granada are reduced to 10 men as Benitez is sent from the field for a late challenge on Nono. For me, it was a harsh decision. A yellow would have sufficed.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Granada are keeping hold of the ball. The home side make their second change moments later as El-Arabi is replaced by Riki. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining.

Leo becomes the latest name to enter the book for Betis following a late challenge on Riki in the middle of the park. Granada might be down to 10 men, but they continue to dominate possession of the ball. Can Betis force a late equaliser this afternoon? They have had chances that is for certain.

Granada make their third and final change of the afternoon as Foulquier enters the field in place of Brahimi, who has once more been impressive. Is there to be late drama in Andalusia? Time is running out for Betis.

Riki wants a penalty as the Granada forward goes down inside the Betis box, but the referee books the Spaniard for simulation following the slightest touch from Nosa. Betis take the free kick quickly, but once more Angulo is on hand to clear with a towering header. End-to-end football with 89 minutes on the clock.

Half-chance for Riki as the Granada forward lifts his effort over the onrushing Adan, but it drops just wide of the far post. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Betis have a corner following a deflected effort from Nono.

Betis continue to force the issue with a series of long balls into the Granada box. Eventually Sevilla has an effort from the edge of the box, but Roberto makes the save. Time is running out for Betis. Not just this afternoon, but also in their season.

Betis are also reduced to 10 men as Amaya picks up his second booking for a late challenge on Riki. Granada are almost there with the clock running down.

So there we have it. Betis' troubles continue as the basement outfit are beaten 1-0 at Granada, who have ended a run of three straight league defeats. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again later for more La Liga football. Until then!