Relegated Granada likely to sign off with another defeat

La Liga
Sky Sports Red Button, 7.45pm Friday

Tony Adams has presided over six successive defeats since his appointment as Granada manager last month and his struggling side are likely to sign off the campaign with another loss at home to mid-table Espanyol.

Granada's miserable run precedes Adam's arrival. The Andalusians have picked up just one point from the last 12 matches and slipped to the foot of the table last Saturday with a 2-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Osasuna.

That result lifted Osasuna off the bottom for the first time in three months and marked a new low for Granada, who had battled successfully against the drop for each of the previous five seasons, always finishing between 15th and 17th.

Their struggles this season have coincided with a change of ownership. Chinese investment group Link International Sports bought control of the club from the Italian Pozzo family (owners of Udinese and Watford) last summer.

Adams has spoken of taking the club closer to the fans by relying more on local talent and less on loan signings but in the short term the change of direction has proved disastrous.

Granada's 20-point tally is 19 fewer than at the same stage of last season and they will struggle to add to it against a well-organised Espanyol side pushing for a top eight finish.

Consistent Espanyol have not been outside the top half since January and have taken seven points from their last three away games.

The progress they have made is illustrated by their 53-point tally (13 more than the same stage of last season) and they should be backed to sign off with a win against the poorest team in the division.

Recommendation
Espanyol
1pt 17-20 Hills

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