Preview: Granada vs. Valencia - prediction, team news, lineups

Granada play host to Valencia on Wednesday afternoon looking to strengthen their bid to earn a place in the top six of the La Liga standings.

Meanwhile, Valencia head into the contest at Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes desperate to end a six-match winless streak in Spain's top flight.

Match preview

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Granada have not enjoyed their best period of the campaign, recording just seven points and suffering three defeats in their last six matches.

However, last season's surprise package have managed to remain in seventh spot, just five points adrift of third-placed Real Sociedad.

Diego Martinez's team are still regarded as outsiders to finish in the top six for the first time since 1974, but El Grana relish their tag of underdogs among the nation's elite.

While a 2-0 defeat was recorded at Real Madrid last time out, they had previously put together a three-match unbeaten streak which included wins over Elche and Real Betis.

Before the setback against the defending champions, Roberto Soldado had ended a three-month goalless streak with a double in the latter of those matches.

From Valencia's perspective, Javi Gracia will feel encouraged by the character and resilience shown by his players in several fixtures against the division's best teams.

Nevertheless, collecting just four points from six outings has left Los Che just one point above the relegation zone, increasing the stakes ahead of this fixture.

On the plus side, their only two setbacks during that period came via a 1-0 scoreline against Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, highlighting that they currently have more than enough quality to avoid a battle for survival.

However, amid talk of sales needing to be made during January, that is something which may change over the coming weeks.

Granada La Liga form: LLDWWL Granada form (all competitions): DDWWWL

Valencia La Liga form: DLDDDL Valencia form (all competitions): LDDWDL

Team News

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Valencia boss Gracia could hand a recall to Yunus Musah after the teenager was only named as substitute against Sevilla.

Eliaquim Mangala is in line to replace the injured Gabriel Paulista in defence, while Kevin Gameiro should return to the squad after a spell on the sidelines.

As for Granada, Luis Milla will be absent from the squad due to recording a positive coronavirus test.

However, Martinez will be able to call upon Maxime Gonalons, who has served his one-match suspension.

Granada possible starting lineup: Silva; Foulquier, Duarte, Sanchez, Neva; Herrera, Gonalons, Eteki; Puertas, Soldado, Suarez

Valencia possible starting lineup: Domenech; Wass, Mangala, Diakhaby, Gaya; Musah, Racic, Soler, Cheryshev; Guedes, Gomez

We say: Granada 1-1 Valencia

Despite their recent disappointing run of results, Valencia have shown enough in those games to suggest that they should be able to match their hosts on Wednesday. With that in mind, we are backing Gracia's side to claim another hard-earned point.

Top betting tip