Real Madrid vs. Granada: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo. 

That was the outcome the last time Cristiano Ronaldo played a league game, the Ballon d'Or winner putting an end to a so-called slump with an exclamation mark as he put five past Espanyol.

The last time he played against Granada...well, ditto. 

More of the same again, then?

The Portuguese in this sort of form will undoubtedly be salivating at the prospect of the Andalusians returning to the Bernabeu on Saturday. Just three days after his quintet of strikes in Catalonia, Ronaldo added another three on Tuesday against Shakhtar Donetsk, afterward breaking his usual silence to the press by taking aim at his critics.

"Before I was bad and now I am good because I have scored eight goals in two games," the Real Madrid forward said, via ESPNFC, appearing to vent frustration over his treatment by a fickle local media.

Evidently, what Ronaldo is capable of when he's in a "I'm-going-to-prove-you-wrong" mentality is rather scary, and Granada are likely to be thinking something along the lines of: Not again.

After conceding three goals on the season's opening weekend to Eibar, the same Eibar that were relegated last season but are still in the division thanks to Elche, Granada watched Villarreal put another three past them last time out, their defence maintaining last season's, well, standards, if you can call them that. 

In 2014-15, the Nazaries conceded 64 goals, 47 of them coming away from home—by a distance the highest figure in the league. Just three games into 2015-16, they're in similar territory. And now travelling to the Bernabeu. To face Real Madrid, who beat them by an aggregate score of 13-1 across two meetings last term. 

You fear for them. 

GERARD JULIEN/Getty Images

For Real Madrid, though, and for Rafa Benitez in particular, Saturday's clash is the sort in which he doesn't need to go full throttle. Sandwiched between Tuesday's Champions League opener and Wednesday's trip to the San Mames, this outing is an obvious opportunity for rotation for Benitez, a chance to spare the fuel tanks of one or two of his major stars. 

Admittedly, injuries will force his hand to an extent, with James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale, Sergio Ramos and Danilo all set to miss the visit of Granada. But after resting Toni Kroos against Espanyol, Benitez could do the same with Luka Modric here, given he has both Casemiro and Mateo Kovacic waiting by as natural fits for his double pivot. 

Whereas last season Carlo Ancelotti opted for a flat-out method against La Liga's lesser lights, that's unlikely to be Benitez's approach. For him and his team, these games are simply ones to get through unscathed, picking up the points while keeping a gaze fixed on bigger targets. 

Match Details

Date: Saturday, September 19

Time: 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. EDT/4 p.m. local

Venue: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain

TV Info: Sky Sports (UK, delayed transmission from 5:15 p.m.), beIN Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), beIN Sports CONNECT (U.S.)

Form Lines

Real Madrid	Granada
W: 4-0 vs. Shakhtar Donetsk	L: 1-3 vs. Villarreal
W: 6-0 vs. Espanyol	W: 2-1 vs. Getafe
W: 5-0 vs. Real Betis	L: 1-3 vs. Eibar
D: 0-0 vs. Sporting Gijon	W: 3-1 vs. Cadiz
W: 2-1 vs. Galatasaray	L: 1-2 vs. Real Betis
D: 0-0 vs. Valerenga	W: 2-0 vs. Udinese

Team News

As mentioned above, Rodriguez, Bale, Ramos and Danilo will all be absent for Real Madrid against Granada.

The Colombian is still sidelined with a thigh injury sustained during the international break, while the Welshman is set to miss several weeks after suffering a calf injury against Shakhtar. 

Ramos' issue also occurred against the Ukrainians on Tuesday, when he dislocated his shoulder after falling awkwardly, while Danilo is still hampered by a plantar fasciitis tear picked up while on international duty. 

As such, Pepe is likely to partner Raphael Varane in the centre of the defence, with Jese coming in to occupy the right flank in Benitez's 4-2-3-1. In turn, Isco will probably move into his preferred No. 10 role, while Daniel Carvajal will keep his place at right-back. 

For Granada, midfielder Ruben Perez is the only man unavailable to manager Jose Ramon Sandoval, most likely seeing Fran Rico come into the XI alongside Rene Krhin. 

After a disastrous error at home against Villarreal, goalkeeper Andres Fernandez could be under pressure to retain his place, but the Bernabeu will definitely get to see the man with perhaps the best name in La Liga: Isaac Success. 

Predicted Lineups

B/R UK

In the Spotlight

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Throughout the summer, one of the most regularly discussed topics regarding Real Madrid was the squad's strength in depth. In signing or recalling Danilo, Kovacic, Casemiro, Lucas Vazquez and Denis Cheryshev, Madrid significantly bolstered Benitez's supporting cast, the idea that depth would be there to rotate through, that injuries could be covered. 

Interestingly, however, amid a sudden spate of injuries, it's not so much the new faces ready to be called upon but rather two familiar ones. 

Indeed, the absences of Rodriguez and Bale have presented opportunities for Isco and Jese in Benitez's attack. Inevitably, when the injured duo return, the pair of Spaniards will likely head back to the bench, yet it's in these sort of games against Granada that Real Madrid will want to see the likes of Isco and Jese come in and dictate. Benitez will want to see goals, assists. Big moments. 

Essentially, what Isco and Jese must do is inspire confidence in the concept of rotation, taking charge of a game when stars are missing, proving that significant artillery resides behind the primary strikeforce. 

Though they've won these opportunities through injury, most throughout the season will come via rotation. It's their job to prove that when rotation occurs, it's not simply a necessity but also something that can be beneficial.

Odds (via Odds Shark)

Real Madrid: 1-14

Draw: 10-1

Granada: 18-1

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