Granada vs Racing Santander preview - Strugglers set for vital clash

Posted Sunday, November 06, 2011 by PA

Granada and Racing Santander both head into Sunday's Primera Division match on a high having brought themselves back towards the pack with important wins in the past week.

Granada won for only the second time since returning to the Primera Division with an incredible 2-1 victory at Andalucian neighbours Sevilla on Monday night.

Goalkeeper Roberto was the hero at the Sanchez Pizjuan as he pulled off a string of wonderful saves to keep the visitors in the game before late goals from Alexandre Geijo and Mikel Rico swung the game in Granada's favour.

However, Roberto has warned his team-mates the emotional victory over Sevilla will count for nothing if they do not beat fellow strugglers Racing.

He told AS: "We had the luck we were looking for. We fought till the end and had a lot of ambition in the final minutes to go for the victory.

"We needed luck and we got it. We had the feeling that what happened in Seville might change our season and we are delighted because in the first few matches we haven't had even the slightest bit of luck.

"However this victory will not serve for anything if we don't beat Racing. It is one of those five or six matches that we can't let get away from us.

"We hope to have the crowd behind us and move out of the relegation zone on Sunday."

Granada have also been boosted by the return of midfielders Hassan Yebda and Carlos Martins from injury, whilst Dani Benitez and Jaime Rincon are available again after serving one-match suspensions against Sevilla.

Racing showed their gradual improvement under Hector Cuper with their first win of the campaign over Real Betis last weekend, but the Cantabrians will be missing key man Pape Diop for the trip to Granada after the Senegalese picked up his fifth booking of the season in that match.

Cuper will be able to call on Gonzalo Costa for the first time this season as he has finally recovered from a persistent knee complaint.

Christian Stuani, who came on to score the decisive penalty in the 1-0 win against Real Betis last weekend, is expected to be handed his first start since recovering from injury.