FC Barcelona have a great chance on Thursday evening to climb to the top of the table for the first time this season. Three points in the catch-up game against Granada CF and Barça would climb to first place in the La Liga table for the first time.
Barcelona already have the league title in their own hands, as they will play a direct duel against Atletico Madrid on matchday 35 – but a win on Thursday would make the Blaugrana the championship favourites once and for all.
The reason for this is the slip-ups of the two rivals Atletico and Real Madrid at the weekend. The leaders lost 1:2 in Bilbao on Sunday evening, and the day before Real only managed a tired 0:0 against Betis. Two good opportunities for Barcelona to snatch first place and be the beneficiary of these unexpected slip-ups.
The bookmakers would be surprised by anything else, at least if we take the odds as an indicator before the Barcelona vs Granada game. For Barça is without any ifs and buts the overwhelming favourite.
Prediction & Live Odds for Barcelona vs Granada
The statistics in the direct duel also make it clear that Barça are clear favourites going into the match. While Granada will certainly be seeking revenge for their cup defeat, Barça know how unpleasant Granada can be as an opponent because of this match in the Copa at the beginning of February.
Messi and Co. should be additionally motivated by the fact that they can jump to first place for the first time this season with a win against the Andalusians. It would be a big step towards the title.
We can’t really imagine Barça letting this opportunity slip away. We do not expect an easy or clear victory, but rather a hard piece of work against an uncomfortable opponent, but at the end of it three points should jump out for the Blaugrana. Therefore, our prediction for Barcelona vs. Granada is: Barça to win and both teams to score.
Barcelona – Statistics & current form
Before Barcelona vs. Granada, it’s not worth betting on a home win in the three-way, the odds on Barça are so low. That’s not really surprising given the Blaugrana’s form: In the calendar year 2021, Barça have only conceded one defeat.
The Catalans remained undefeated in 19 league games, but in April they suffered their first and only defeat in 2021. In the Clasico, of all places, Barcelona conceded a narrow 1:2 defeat in the clash with arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Those who believed that the Catalans’ form would now drop off were wrong: Since then, they have won three matches in a row – two in the league (5:2 against Getafe, 2:1 in Villarreal) and the exhilarating 4:0 in the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao.
Barcelona with first chance at top of table
This cup triumph alone should give Barça a boost for the final spurt in La Liga. After all, Antoine Griezmann made it clear after Sunday’s 2-1 win at Villarreal: “We want to be champions.”
A big step in that direction would be three points against Granada. Since before Barcelona vs. Granada the betting odds on the normal home win are only 1.15 on average, one should rather explore other possibilities to bet on the Blaugrana, for example in the handicap.
Because it is hard to imagine Barcelona dropping points at home in this form on Thursday – especially because Messi and Co. have a great chance to lead the table.
Predicted Barcelona line-up:
Ter Stegen – Mingueza, Piqué, Lenglet – Dest, Busquets, De Jong, Pedri, Alba – Messi, Griezmann
Granada – Statistics & current form
FC Barcelona should not underestimate their opponents from Granada. In their second season in the Spanish top flight after their promotion, the Andalusians are picking up almost seamlessly where they left off last year. Last season, they were promoted to a surprising seventh place, and are currently only one place lower in eighth.
Granada has immediately established itself as a force in La Liga and is performing above its actual level – even in the cup competitions.
Granada recalls cup exit against Barça
Last season, Granada reached the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, and this season they were only minutes away from repeating that success. But in the quarter-finals they were knocked out by Barça – 3:5 after extra time and although they were leading 2:0, the equaliser came in injury time.
Whether the sting of the late and dramatic Copa elimination still runs deep for the Andalusians will become clear on Thursday. In any case, the cup match showed that Granada can keep up with Barça.
Therefore, if you think the visitors will put in a good performance at the Camp Nou and win a point, you will find odds of over 9.00 on the X for Barcelona vs Granada.
However, it is highly recommended to have a look at the our football betting odds comparison, which helps you to see how good the odds are with your betting provider. The odds vary enormously between the different betting providers, both for a draw and for a Granada away win.
Predicted line-up of Granada:
Silva – Diaz, Sanchez, Perez – Foulquier, Gonalons, Herrera, Machis, Puertas, Kenedy, Suarez