Almeria vs Granada CF preview - Rico expecting tough battle

Posted Friday, January 03, 2014 by PA

Granada midfielder Fran Rico has predicted a "tight game" when his side visit Almeria in the Primera Division on Saturday.

Four points separate the teams, with the hosts desperate to get away from the relegation zone from which they have a cushion of just one point.

Almeria did snap a poor run of one point from nine when they edged past Real Betis last time out but they are still too close for comfort.

Granada have just one win in four matches, although they are in a far more favourable position than their hosts.

Rico knows the result will be decided by fine margins and told reporters: "(It will be) a tight and close game that will not produce many goals and (the team that will) win this will be more concentrated and better manage the small details."

He added: "We went on holiday with 20 points and we should be happy but we want more.

"We have improved at home but away we are still strong and we are eager to go to Almeria.

"To win we must be faithful to the style we have.

"Things are going well, we're playing more relaxed, we are more serious in certain phases of the game, we dominate over the game.

"Hopefully we will be fortunate enough to get points in Almeria."

Saturday's game marks the start of a double header against fellow strugglers, with Real Valladolid next up on Friday giving Granada the chance to put clear daylight between themselves and their rivals.

Rico added: "It is the first fixture against two rivals - Almeria and Valladolid - but we are just thinking of Almeria because if we win it would let us off the hook and give us a cushion of big points.

"We know the difficulty of the game but we will go all out to win."