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

Sevilla will be looking to make it three straight victories in La Liga when they continue their domestic campaign away to Granada on Sunday night.

Julen Lopetegui's side have made an impressive start to the 2021-22 season, picking up 14 points from six matches to sit third in the table, while Granada occupy 18th, having collected just three points thus far.

Match preview

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Granada are one of only three teams - the other two being Levante and Getafe - yet to record a La Liga victory this season, and a total of three points from seven fixtures has left them down in 18th spot in the table.

The Red and Whites have excelled in their last two campaigns at this level, finishing seventh and ninth respectively, but the early indications are that it could be a tough season for the club.

Robert Moreno's side picked up a point away to Barcelona on September 20 but could not build on the positive result at Camp Nou, as they have lost their last two fixtures to Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo.

There is still a lot of football to be played this season, but Granada now have two incredibly difficult home matches against Sevilla and Atletico Madrid either side of the international break.

The three-time Segunda Division champions recorded a 1-0 win in the corresponding game last term, but four of the last five league encounters between the two sides have been won by Sevilla.

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Sevilla, as mentioned, have made a strong start to their 2021-22 La Liga season, picking up 14 points from six matches courtesy of four wins and two draws, which has left them in third spot in the table.

Lopetegui's side are also unbeaten in the Champions League this season, drawing their opening two Group G fixtures against Red Bull Salzburg and Wolfsburg.

Los Nervionenses finished fourth in the league last season, just two points behind third-place Barcelona, and they were possible title challengers for a stage before just falling away towards the end of the season.

Sevilla drew back-to-back away fixtures with Elche and Real Sociedad either side of the last international break before recording successive home victories over Valencia and Espanyol.

The fact that Lopetegui's side were in Germany on Wednesday night means that they will not have had long to prepare for this contest, but the home team's supporters will not be feeling too confident, having watched their side struggle for results this season.

Team News

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Granada will again be without the services of Neyder Lozano and Yan Eteki this weekend through injury, while Maxime Gonalons is set to face a late fitness test.

Luis Maximiano, Darwin Machis and Domingos Duarte have all shaken off recent issues, though, and all three are expected to be in the home side's starting XI against Sevilla.

Head coach Moreno could decide to switch from a 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3 formation for this match, with Antonio Puertas and Machis set to join Luis Suarez in the final third of the field.

As for Sevilla, Youssef En-Nesyri is out until the end of October with a hamstring problem, while Thomas Delaney will miss out through suspension, having been sent off against Espanyol last time out.

Marcos Acuna is expected to shake off a small issue to feature at left-back, while Ivan Rakitic and Erik Lamela are pushing to start, having both come off the bench against Wolfsburg in the Champions League.

Rafa Mir will again get the nod at the tip of the attack, with Suso and Joan Jordan potentially dropping out of the side, as Lopetegui prepares to freshen his midfield.

Granada possible starting lineup:
Maximiano; Quini, Duarte, Sanchez, Neva; Milla, Montoro, Monchu; Puertas, Suarez, Machis

Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Bounou; Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Acuna; Rakitic, Gomez, Fernando; Lamela, Mir, Ocampos

We say: Granada 1-2 Sevilla

Granada have had much longer to prepare for this match and should be the fresher of the two teams, which has to be an advantage. Sevilla have been excellent in La Liga this season, though, and we are expecting Lopetegui's side to shade a close contest to record another three points.