Granada CF vs Espanyol preview - Benitez expects tough clash

Posted Saturday, September 14, 2013 by PA

Granada winger Dani Benitez believes unbeaten Espanyol will prove to be a tough proposition to break down when they meet at Los Carmenes on Sunday.

Lucas Alcaraz's men have made a steady start to the season, winning, losing and drawing once to sit mid-table in the embryonic Primera Division standings.

While they were beaten in their only home contest this term, a narrow 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid can hardly be considered a major setback.

But ahead of their encounter with Catalan club Espanyol, Benitez, who expects to play a full part despite struggling with a knee injury this week, has warned Granada they will be in for a difficult time.

"I feel good. I had the knee problem that I've dragged all week, but in principle for the game I'll be fine," said the on-loan Udinese man to Granada's official website.

"Espanyol's game will be a tough game, they're coming to the party. They're a strong team defensively and at set pieces too."

Chilean defender Matias Campos, who will be hoping to make his debut on Sunday following a loan move from Udinese before the transfer window shut, believes his new side need to show organisation against Espanyol.

"I am ready for the next game because I had been working a long time. I had pre-season in Udinese and then Hercules," he said. "So I'm prepared to play and show what I can offer.

"Espanyol are a team that has good offence. To beat them, we have to maintain our game idea, be ordered."

Former Granada winger Gabriel Torje could come up against his old side after signing for Espanyol this season on a season-long loan from Udinese.

"I'm available and I want to play as soon as I can," said Torje on Espanyol's official website. "I think we have a good team."

Fellow loanee Jhon Cordoba, who joined from Mexican side Chiapas, is also in line to make his debut on Sunday.

The Colombian Under-21 forward is itching to make his mark in Spain, saying: "I really wanted to come to this great club. It was one of my dreams to come to Europe. I hope to make the most of it."