Girona vs Real Betis Prediction & Betting Tips

Real Betis make the trip to Girona on Sunday, to face a home side who are closing in on Champions League qualification following a stellar season on the domestic front. Betis have every chance of obtaining a result as they are also seeking a route back into European Football.

• Girona to Win @ -145 With FanDuel
• Both Teams to Score @ -168 With FanDuel
• Over 2.5 goals @ -162 With FanDuel

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

• Date: 31/03/2024
• Kick-off time: 3:15pm
• Location: Estadi Montilivi

It’s fair to assume that Girona have exceeded expectations this season with their domestic performance. The home side entered the campaign with many experts predicting a mid-table finish for the team owned by the City Football Group. Opta statistics placed the home side in 11th place, however with less than ten games to go they look on course to record their highest ever finish in the club’s history.

Under the managerial tenure of Spanish coach Michel, the hosts are currently in third place after 29 games and 62 points obtained. A win over Real Betis would move the home side above Barcelona and into second place but still some way behind league leaders Real Madrid.

As for the visitors, Real Betis have also enjoyed a very respectable season. Los Verdiblancos have already tasted European Football this season having participated in the Europa League and the Europa Conference League respectively. Betis finished third in a group behind Rangers and AC Sparta Prague and were eliminated by Dinamo Zagreb in the secondary competition.

In the league, Betis still have every chance of qualification for the Europa Conference League spot. The away side are currently in 7th place, four points adrift of sixth placed Real Sociedad. However, they do have a far inferior goal difference to the team above.

As it stands in the league rankings, 7th placed Real Betis would miss out on European competition. However, this factor relies on the result of the Copa Del Ray final. If Athletic Bilbao win the trophy and retain fourth spot, then the last remaining spot would be awarded to the team in the spot Betis currently occupy. Although, if Mallorca were to win and considering they would have no chance of making the top six, Betis would miss out.

The two sides squared off against each other only once this season and it finished 1-1. The visitors in the corresponding fixture were minutes away from an important win but Germán Pezzella rescued a point for Real Betis. The Argentine’s goal cancelled out Artem Dovbyk’s first half penalty.

History does suggest the away side have the mental advantage over Girona. The two sides have faced each other on no less than 13 occasions. Los Verdiblancos have won ten of the 13 meetings, drawing twice and losing once. Interestingly the last time Girona recorded a victory over Real Betis was in 2010. Both teams at that point were in the second tier of Spanish football and the game finished 1-0 to Girona thanks to a goal from former Sevilla defender David Canas.

Girona Team News

Girona will likely be without midfielder Yangel Herrera as it remains a doubt he will be in line to play against Real Betis. Midfielder Toni Villa is unlikely to be risked. Villa,29, will have just recovered from a Cruciate Ligament injury one week prior.

Real Betis Team News

Michel has four suspension worries to concern himself with the likes of Aleix Garcia and Ivan Martin one yellow card away from suspension.
Real Betis have no injury concerns as of this moment. There are four suspension concerns with former Leicester City player Ayoze Perez amongst those involved.

Despite the home side having the position advantage in the league, they enter this game on back of some very indifferent form. Michel’s side would be counting their blessings that the form hasn’t affected their league position as we enter the final stages of the season.

Girona have won two out of their last five league games, having lost the other three games. It might be considered an advantage to them that the two wins from five have come in front of their home crowd and they would be hoping to utilise that advantage against Real Betis on Sunday.

Girona have conceded 34 goals in 29 league games this season and have ultimately conceded five goals in their last five games. Defensively they have the likes of Paulo Gazzaniga who has vital to their campaign this season. The former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper has settled to life well in Spanish football and is amongst the league leaders in saves made with 92.

In that five-game spell, they have been proficient in front of goal having scored seven in those five – including three against Rayo Vallecano in which they also kept a clean sheet. The home side have scored 59 goals in the league this season and they will be eager to see striker Artem Dovbyk add to his tally this season.

The former Dnipro striker is enjoying a fruitful debut campaign in which he has 14 league goals in 27 games – two goals behind league leader Jude Bellingham. Dovbyk’s scoring record is what you would typically want from a striker with a goal every other game.

Recent Manchester City recruit Savio is leading the way in successful dribbles with 79 completed. 17 clear of nearest rival Vinicius Jr. The Brazilian winger has 15 G/A contributions in the league this season and most recently scored in a 2-0 win over Osasuna.

Savio set join Manchester City fully in the summer having gained experienced within their multi club group at the likes of Girona and Es Troyes AC.

As for the visitors, they have a slightly better defensive record than their hosts having only conceded a goal less but are 25 goals behind in the offensive areas.

Willian Jose is currently the top scorer for Real Betis with eight goals in 25 appearances. Jose is a name fans may recognise because of his short stint on loan at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Brazilian struggled in English football but has a stronger reputation within this league because of his performances at Real Sociedad where he scored 52 in 143 games. Jose scored in their most recent home game in a 3-2 losing effort against Villarreal.

Head Coach Manuel Pellegrini is also experiencing mixed form with his side heading into this game. Betis have only won once from their last five in all competitions, including an aggregate defeat in the Europa Conference League at the hands of Dinamo Zagreb.

With Girona sitting 20 points clear of their opponents and just two points behind Barcelona, we predict that they will earn yet another impressive result this weekend. Girona 2-1 Real Betis

Girona vs Real Betis will be available to watch on the Peacock Network (An NBC live-streaming Platform)