Atletico Madrid v Granada

Atletico Madrid vs Granada Preview

Last season saw the usual suspects finish first, second and third in the La Liga standings with Monday night's hosts, Atletico Madrid in their customary position behind Barcelona and Real Madrid but that's not to say they won't have a say in the outcome of this new La Liga season, starting off with a home game against newly promoted, Granada.

Atletico Madrid continue to be tough to beat at their Estádio Cívitas Metropolitano as the hosts possessed the joint-third lowest number of defeats on home soil in the division last season (tied on three with Real Sociedad), and having lost just twice in their final 22 matches overall in the Spanish top flight, Atletico look a tough proposition for Granada on Monday night.

Incidentally, both of the two defeats were incurred on their travels at Barcelona and Elche while the hosts also racked up a total of 15 wins during this impressive sequence of results that saw Atletico secure another season in the Champions League.

Form and results on home soil at their Estádio Cívitas Metropolitano were also impressive as Diego Simeone's side registered 13 wins from their 19 home games played last term, which culminated in an excellent nine-match winning streak in their own backyard to close the season on a high.

Granada will also be in confident mood as they prepare for life back in the big time in La Liga but they will face one of the toughest opponents in the domestic top flight in the shape of Atletico Madrid in this season opener at the Estádio Cívitas Metropolitano which has been a graveyard for many a team.

Granada achieved top spot and therefore the champions tag of La Liga 2 at the end of last season, winning the title by a three-point margin above runners-up, Las Palmas, but although this was very commendable, the hard work now begins for the visitors to maintain their Spanish top flight status in this forthcoming campaign.

Despite losing in their last pre-season friendly before the start of this new season, losing 1-0 at home to Almeria, Granada nevertheless put together an impressive seven-match winning streak in La Liga 2 and also four pre-season friendlies as well, and the visitors will be hoping they can transfer that form into this upcoming encounter against Atletico Madrid.

However, three defeats in their last six outings on the road suggest this could be a baptism of fire for Granada upon their return to La Liga.

Atletico Madrid v Granada Verdict

Atletico Madrid have found themselves on the losing side against Granada just once in their previous 18 meetings and the hosts look set to hold the upper hand once again on Monday night with a comfortable victory.

Therefore, our main bet will be Both Teams To Score No @ 1.66 Other side bets worth considering:

Atletico Madrid win & Both Teams To Score No @ 2.00

Correct score: Atletico Madrid 2-0 @ 6.00