Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as the champions Atletico Madrid welcome basement side Granada. Right, before we get down to the facts and figures, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Madrid.

TEAMS

ATLETICO: Moya; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Siqueira; Suarez, Gabi, Koke, Turan; Torres, Mandzukic

GRANADA: Oier; Nyom, Mainz, Babin, Sissoko; Iturra, Yuste; Robert, Piti, Lass; El Arabi

Fernando Torres retains his place in the Atletico team following his double against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey on Thursday. Jose Gimenez returns to the XI at centre-back in place of Miranda, while Mario Mandzukic also returns after missing out against Real Madrid through illness.

Granada, meanwhile, hand a first league start to Lass Bangoura, who recently joined on loan from Rayo Vallecano. There is also a place in the team for Piti, who will be expected to support lone forward Youssef El-Arabi. Robert Ibanez and Abdoul Sissoko also start for the visitors at the Calderon.

In terms of the recent league meetings between the two sides, it does not look good for Granada. Atletico are unbeaten in their last eight league games with Granada – winning the last five in a row. Atletico have also kept five clean sheets in their last six meetings with their opponents this afternoon.

Atletico might enter the match seven points behind the league leaders Real Madrid, but they eliminated Los Blancos from the Copa del Rey on Thursday after drawing 2-2 at the Bernabeu. Barcelona are waiting in the quarter-finals, but it is vital that Atletico return to winning ways in the league after losing 3-1 at Barca last weekend. Diego Simeone will expect a confident display.

Atletico have lost at home to Villarreal this season, but their form at the Vicente Calderon has been strong, with seven wins from their nine matches – conceding just eight times in the process. They have not been finding the back of the net as much as the top two, but they are still in a strong position.

The same cannot be said for Granada, however, who are rooted to the bottom of the table after 18 matches. They have won just twice in the league this season, drawing eight and losing 10. They drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad last time out in the league, but were thumped 4-0 at Sevilla in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday. They really need to start picking up some points in the weeks ahead.

Despite sitting bottom of the table, it is not all doom and gloom for Granada. As it stands, they are just two points from safety and a couple of wins could see them move into a more comfortable position. That said, they are the lowest scorers in the league this season with just 11 goals - incredible.

PREDICTION! This, should, should be a comfortable home win for Atletico. I can see Granada frustrating the home side for long spells, especially in the first period, but I would be very surprised if the champions did not pick up all the points. My score prediction from Madrid is 2-0 Atletico.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Can Atletico return to third position in the table? It is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway here.

As expected, there is a strong atmosphere inside the stadium this early evening in the Spanish capital. Atletico have already taken control of the possession, with Granada on the back foot from the onset.

It has not taken long for Torres to make himself a nuisance, but the striker brings Mainz to the ground and Granada have a free kick. It is vital that the away side ride out the early pressure here.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening five minutes, but the home side are on the front foot, with Torres just moving offside after good work from Koke. Nothing from Granada in the final third thus far. Just a reminder that the visitors have only scored 11 league goals this term.

Atletico force a free kick in a wide position when Sissoko brings Turan to the ground, but the resulting set piece from Gabi is headed clear. Not too much in terms of chances in the early moments here.

Newsflash! Torres is offside again! He has loved an offside call since returning to Atletico.

BOOKING! Gabi (Atletico) goes into the book for bringing down Ibanez, who had driven into a dangerous area for the visitors. Better from Granada, who are starting to offer a threat.

BOOKING! Lass (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Torres.

Half-chance for the away side as Lass delivers a dangerous cross towards El-Arabi, but the striker's header was always moving wide of the post. El-Arabi might have done better from that area.

It has not been the best start from the home side here, with Turan giving away a cheap free kick, allowing Granada to regroup once again. As predicted, it has been a tight opening 13 minutes.

Lass is causing problems in a wide area as the on-loan Rayo midfielder wins a corner for the away side. The resulting set piece is delivered by Piti, but Godin clears at the near post. Really good spell for Granada, who deliver another cross from the right. Atletico need to raise their level here.

CROSSBAR! Piti delivers a dangerous corner from the left, but it clips off the top of the crossbar before dropping into a wide area. Atletico cannot seem to ease the pressure at the moment.

Granada do not look like a team that are rooted to the bottom of the table.

Not too much from the home side in terms of chances, but they have just started to enjoy more of the possession. You just get the feeling that the first goal will be vitally important in this match.

Much better from the home side as they force their first corner of the match, but Godin cannot make contact on the delivery from Koke. Granada just cannot get out of their own half at the moment, which was not the case a few minutes ago. Still goalless, however, with 22 minutes on the clock.

Much better from the home side as Siqueira delivers a dangerous cross from the left, but Mandzukic cannot made contact under pressure from Mainz, who has been solid thus far. The pressure continues, however, with Juanfran also advanced down the right. Torres is working awfully hard in attack.

It is almost like a training match at the moment as Atletico continue to pass and probe outside the Granada box, but the visitors are closing the space in forward areas. Turan goes down inside the box under pressure from Mainz, but the referee is not interested. It would have been very soft.

Siqueira and Juanfran remain high up the field for the home side, but Sissoko and Nyom have been solid in the opening 28 minutes. Granada attempt to break, but Suarez brings Ibanez to the ground.

BOOKING! Suarez (Atletico) is booked for that poor challenge on Ibanez.

Granada have had three shots on target this half, but Atletico are yet to test Oier.

Another half-chance for Granada as Piti finds some space inside the box before attempting to float a cross towards the far post, but Moya manages to collect. Still goalless with 32 minutes played.

BOOKING! Sissoko (Granada) is booked for pulling Godin to the ground inside the box. It should be red, the defender was the last man when he pulled Godin to the floor.

Atletico open the scoring as Mandzukic fires his penalty into the top corner.

Atletico do not really deserve to be ahead, but they have made their advantage count here. Granada are back down the other end with El-Arabi, but the striker cannot find Piti in a wide area.

Atletico are really knocking on the door as Juanfran delivers a low cross towards Torres, but the striker cannot convert under pressure from Mainz. Granada really cannot afford to concede a second before the interval or it might well be game over. Little over five minutes of the first half to play.

Another half-chance for the home side as Turan carries the ball all the way into the Granada box, but his effort is blocked by Babin. Atletico really are pressing for a second goal here.

Mandzukic seems to have a problem for the home side as he hits the deck and stays there...

... Mandzukic is back with us.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Atletico leading 1-0 courtesy of a penalty from Mandzukic. Granada are fortunate not to be down to 10 men, meanwhile, with Sissoko pulling Godin to the ground to concede the spot kick. The hosts are in control at the break.

STATS! Atletico have just about shaded the possession with 55%, but their goal came from their only shot on target in the first period. Granada, meanwhile, have had five attempts, but just one of those has been on target. There have also been four yellows following some feisty tackles.

BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the capital, with the likes of Garcia, Griezmann, Jimenez and Saul all in reserve. Granada, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Success, Foulquier and Djalo. Will there be any changes at the break?

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Granada respond? It is a big ask for the basement side. Granada get the second 45 minutes underway.

No changes from either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of the match. However, I suspect that alterations will occur as the second period gathers pace.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the early stages of the second period, but the home side are in control of the possession. You just get the feeling that Granada need to score the next goal.

Mandzukic hits the deck for the home side following a clash in the middle of the park, but the striker does return to his feet following a period of treatment. Fairly slow start to the second period.

The home supporters are in good voice at the moment, but I suspect that they would feel a lot better if their side scored a second goal. The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes following some late challenges. Neither side have threatened this half.

It's good work from El-Arabi as the Granada forward drives into the Atletico half, but Mandzukic is back to makes a fine challenge. Lass is down the left moments later, but his cross is just too high for El-Arabi, who has started to look lively in the final third. Much better from the away side.

Little over 30 minutes of football remaining and the score is still 1-0 Atletico, which will not please Diego Simeone. Granada are carrying a threat in the final third that is for certain.

SUB! Atletico make their first change as Griezmann replaces Torres.

Excellent defending from Nyom as the Granada right-back clears a deep cross from Juanfran, which had threatened to find Griezmann. Atletico build from the back once again, but this time Sissoko is across to make the clearance. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this game.

Just a reminder that following this match, I shall be bringing you live commentary of Barcelona's trip to Deportivo, so be sure to remain with us for that one. Still 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon.

SUB! Granada make their first change as Sissoko is replaced by Foulquier.

BOOKING! Nyom (Granada) is booked for a late challenge on Siqueira.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Granada are causing problems in the final third with the pace of Lass, who has been dangerous on his debut. Atletico, meanwhile, are still going through the motions with little under 25 minutes remaining.

Possession football from the hosts as they continue to pass and probe in the final third. However, another attack comes to a close when Koke is challenged by Babin, who has been strong here.

Half-chance for Griezmann this time as the Frenchman collects a pass from Koke, but Oier is down to make a really smart save. Another Atletico goal would certainly end this contest.

BOOKING! Mandzukic (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Nyom.

SUB! Granada make their second change as Juan Carlos replaces Lass.

Another half-chance for the home side as Koke collects a loose ball outside the Granada box, but his curling effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Little over 10 minutes of football to play.

SUB! Granada make their third change as Success replaces Ibanez.

In truth, not too much is happening at the moment, with Atletico comfortable in possession of the ball. As it stands, Atletico would return to third spot, while Granada would remain bottom of the table.

SUB! Atletico make their second change as Garcia replaces Mandzukic.

It's good work from Foulquier as the Frenchman breaks into the final third, but Siqueira is across to make the challenge. Little over five minutes of normal time remaining at the Calderon.

Just a reminder that three points will move Atletico into third, above Valencia, who took that spot on Saturday. Not too much more football to play in the Spanish capital this early evening.

Atletico score their second of the match as Garcia turns a Turan cross into the bottom corner from close range. That is game, set and match for the Spanish champions here.

SUB! Atletico make their third change as Jimenez replaces Turan.

We are into the second of three additional minutes here.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Atletico beating Granada 2-0 at the Calderon. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!