Girona vs Barcelona: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Location: Montilivi

Date: 04/05/2024

Kick-Off: 17:30 PM
The biggest game in La Liga in terms of league standing takes place at the Montilivi stadium. Girona host Barcelona at the weekend with neither side looking likely finish any higher than a top four place.

A win for either side in this game would mathematically secure a Champions League place for next season, although in Barcelona’s case they have a game in hand against Valencia to contend with before this game. Both Girona and Barcelona at some points were almost contending with Real Madrid at the top of the league, however, Los Blancos were eventually the runaway league leaders in La Liga this season.

The home side Girona have enjoyed a brilliant campaign thus far, following their finish to last season’s campaign. Girona finished tenth last season and are now on course to record their highest ever finish to a league campaign. The home side are on the verge of history and could potentially secure a Champions League place next season.

Girona are currently second in the league after 33 games played, with a 13-point gap over fifth placed Athletic Bilbao. A win would secure their route into European elite for the first time in their history. A defeat against Barcelona, accompanied by a Bilbao win would only delay their celebration by a couple of weeks. Girona can still mathematically win the league title, although it’s virtually impossible with the point gap between them and Real Madrid.

Girona’s points tally is rather impressive for a team that has finished in the top ten of Spanish football once. Under highly rated coach Michel, the home side have accumulated 71 points from 33 games. Girona have averaged 2.15 points per game this season. In the attacking areas, they have scored 69 goals in 33 games, averaging 2.09 goals per game. Defensively, they have been below average conceding 37 in 33 games.

Girona’s overall record this season stands at 22 wins, six draws and five losses.

As for last season’s champions, F.C Barcelona look certain to lose their league title to Real Madrid, especially following the 3-2 defeat in the El Clasico. The visitors will also secure a Champions League place, if they avoid defeat to Girona at the weekend.

Barcelona play Valencia on the Monday prior to this game and if they were to win, Les Cules will be two points clear of their opponents and 15 points clear of Athletic Bilbao. As with Girona, Barcelona can still mathematically win the league title, although again it’s considered impossible at this stage of the season.

The huge news from Barcelona this week, is that their manager Xavi has decided to impose a U-turn on his decision to leave the club. The Spaniard had agreed to leave the club in the summer, but his future now lies at his boyhood club. Xavi won the league title as a manager with Barcelona last season.

In the most recent league meeting between the two teams resulted in an impressive 4-2 win for Girona over their opponents. Artem Dovbyk opened the scoring for Girona in the 12th minute before Robert Lewandowski equalised seven minutes later. Girona then raced into a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from Miguel Gutierrez and Valery Fernandez. Ilkay Gundogan gave Barcelona hopes of a comeback in the 92nd minute before former Middlesbrough striker Cristhian Stuani secured all three points in the 95th minute for Girona.

Girona and Barcelona have faced each other on 11 occasions with ten of those games taking place in active competitions. If history is anything to go by, Barcelona will be the favourites for this game having won seven out of the 11 games between the two teams played. The fixture played at the Montilivi last season finished in a 1-0 win to Barcelona. Xavi’s side left it late as Pedri scored in the 81st minute.

In the last five meetings between the two sides, Barcelona have won three, drawn once and lost the remaining game this season. Barcelona are currently on a two game winless run against their opposition, with their most recent win being the 1-0 win thanks to Pedri.

Interestingly, Barcelona have never lost a competitive game at the Montilivi stadium with Girona’s most recent win coming at the Spotify Camp Nou. Girona are winless in their last three league games against Barcelona at home and have seen players dismissed in one of those three games played.

In two of the ten competitive fixtures between the two sides, there have been two games where there have been dismissals for either side.

Girona head into this game with some very good and respectable form, having won three out of their last five league games. Girona’s two defeats in that time came away from home against Atletico Madrid and Getafe.

The home form at the Montilivi has been instrumental to their league position this season. Girona have played 16 games at home this season, winning 13 times, drawing twice, and losing only once. Girona have averaged 2.56 points per game this season at home and have won 81% of their matches in front of their home crowd.

Girona have failed to score in only 13% of their home games this season, averaging 2.63 goals per game and only conceding on average 1.06 goals per game. In their most recent home game, they were comfortable 4-1 winners over Cadiz.

Barcelona’s away form is rather respectable on all accounts. Xavi’s side have won three out of their last five games in the league away from home, averaging 2.09 points per game on the road. Barcelona have won nine games away from home, drawn six and losing only once.

The away side have failed to score in only 13% of their away fixtures this season, whilst contributing a healthy 1.88 goals per game on the road.

Robert Lewandowski will be important to their chances at the weekend. The Polish international has 21 goal contributions this season and contributes 0.82 goal contributions per 90 minutes played.

Girona

Girona have no injury concerns whatsoever. The hosts do have four suspension concerns with Aleix Garcia, Juanpe, Miguel Gutierrez and Arnau Martinez are all at risk.

Barcelona

Gavi, Alejandro Balde and Frenkie de Jong are all going to be unavailable for this game against Girona.

Despite Girona's superb campaign and 4-2 win away to Barcelona earlier on in the season, we believe that Barcelona will win with both teams getting on the scoresheet.

Girona 2-3 Barcelona