James Rodriguez
Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez is expected to start against Granada in the absence of Gareth Bale Getty

Real Madrid will look to keep the pressure on title rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid when they travel to the Nuevo Los Carmenes to face Granada on 7 February.

Where to watch live

Kick-off is set for 7.30pm GMT. The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

Overview

Granada failed to build on their home victory over Getafe as they were beaten 1-0 by Villarreal at El Madrigal on 30 January. The Andalusian side are 19th in the league table and have lost five of their last six matches across all competitions.

Midfielder Edgar and defender Salva Ruiz are both likely to sit out the Real Madrid clash through illness. Nigerian striker Isaac Success (hamstring) is a doubt, but Adalberto Penaranda (thigh) could return.

Real Madrid bounced back from the 1-1 draw at Real Betis by thrashing Espanyol 6-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu last weekend. The capital club are on a four-game winless run away from home in all competitions.

Defenders Pepe and Danilo (both foot) are injured and miss the trip to Granada along with Gareth Bale, who is still recovering from a calf injury.

What managers say

Jose Ramon Sandoval: "It is possible to win at Real Madrid. We shall try to make the opponent feel uncomfortable in their own half of the pitch, to be in the attacking half as much as possible. It will be hard to do this against this opponent but we are a very brave team."

Zinedine Zidane: "It is a difficult game against a strong opponent. We must begin the game strongly. We must do things differently than against Betis. We cannot drop more points. Only a win is any good for us."

Form guide

  • Granada (all competitions): L W L L L
  • Last result: Villarreal 1-0 Granada
  • Real Madrid: W D W W D
  • Last result: Real Madrid 6-0 Espanyol

Betting odds (888sport)

  • Granada win: 9
  • Draw: 5
  • Real Madrid win: 3/10

Team news

Granada possible XI: A Fernandez; Lopes, Babin, Lomban, Foulquier; Rico, Perez; Success, Rochina, Ibanez; El-Arabi.

Real Madrid possible XI: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Kroos, Isco; Rodriguez, Benzema, Ronaldo.

Real Madrid