Girona vs Granada: Preview, Prediction & Betting Picks

Girona host Granada on the final day of the La Liga season, with both sides looking to end the season on a high, despite very contrasting campaigns.

Date: 5/25/24

Kick-off time: 12:00 Pacific Time

Venue: Montilivi

It has been a thrilling season for Girona and their fans, as they will be playing Champions League football next season. After Atletico Madrid’s defeat at the weekend, they cannot finish lower than third, which has ensured they will experience Europe’s top tournament just two seasons after being promoted from the second tier. For long parts of the season, they were battling at the top, but the quality and experience of Real Madrid meant they prevailed comfortably. However, it was still a year to be proud of for the side, as they showed they can compete despite inferior resources to those around them.

Granada have nothing to play for but pride, with their relegation already confirmed. They will finish second bottom, and most likely end more than 15 points adrift from safety. It means they spent just one year back in the top flight before an immediate return. They won just four games all season, and face a tough test in their bid to record a fifth victory.

The visitors have been stronger of late, but still concede many goals. In their last four, they have conceded 11 and scored just twice. However, in the three games prior, they managed to win two of them. Myrto Uzuni has been a rare bright spark, scoring 11 of their 37 goals on the season. Only Real Madrid have scored more goals than Girona this year, and they have scored 15 in their last six. Artem Dovbyk is their clear top scorer, having scored 21 times so far.

These two sides have only ever met once before in La Liga. This is the first time both teams are competing in the top flight at the same time, following Granada’s promotion last season. The only meeting was the reverse fixture earlier this season, in which Girona were 4-2 winners away from home. The visitors went 3-0 up through Viktor Tsygankov, Savio and David Lopez. Uzuni pulled one back, before Lucas Boye netted another to make things interesting. However, the game was put to bed with a fourth goal from Yan Couto.

Girona Team News

Girona have multiple injury concerns. Miguel Gutierrez is a doubt with a bruised leg, whilst Yan Couto is battling with an illness. Jhon Solis could make a return, as could Borja Garcia.

Granada Team News

Goalkeeper Raul Fernandez is ruled out with a wrist injury and Kamil Jozwiak is struggling with a hamstring issue. Myrto Uzuni is out for the season with an Achilles injury.

Girona Form Guide

In their last five games, Girona have won three, drawn one and lost one. It has been a mixed stretch for Girona as they head into the final game of the season, but they were already comfortably in the top four. Their most recent game was a trip to Valencia, in which they won 3-1. They took a 3-0 lead with goals from Savio and Artem Dovbyk, before an own goal. Pepelu pulled one back from the spot for the hosts.

This followed a narrow 1-0 loss at home to Villarreal. This result snapped a four game unbeaten streak as they fell to defeat despite dominating the game. They doubled their opponents’ shots, whilst also enjoying much more possession. However, they were unable to take advantage of their opportunities, and fell behind to a Bertrand Traore goal with just over half an hour to play. A trip to Alaves the week prior ended in dropped points with a 2-2 draw. They went ahead twice, but were pegged back on both occasions. Eric Garcia broke the deadlock after four minutes, but the equaliser came less than 10 minutes later. Yangel Herrera restored the lead on the stroke of half-time, though they conceded once more in the 99th minute to draw in dramatic fashion.

Girona secured the league title for Real Madrid with an impressive 4-2 win over Barcelona. Andreas Christensen gave the visitors the lead very early, but the hosts were able to respond immediately through Dovbyk. Robert Lewandowski scored from the spot just before the break, but three goals in 10 second half minutes from, Portu (x2) and Miguel Gutierrez completed the comeback. The first game of this run was a 2-0 win at Las Palmas. David Lopez and Dovbyk were the goalscorers.

Granada Form Guide

In their last five games, Granada have won one and lost four. It has been a tough stretch for Granada, though their fate has been long sealed as they are going to be relegated. However, they started this run with an emphatic 3-0 win over mid-table Osasuna. Facundo Pellistri gave them a half-time lead, before Myrto Uzuni and Lucas Boye added to the score.

They were on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline away at Sevilla. They were able to keep it close in shot attempts, but they were unable to take advantage of their opportunities whilst their opponents did. Marcos Acuna put them in front, preceding second half strikes from Youssef En-Nesyri and Dodi Lukebakio. Another battering followed at the hands of champions Real Madrid at home. Los Blancos were 4-0 winners, with Fran Garcia, Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz (x2) on the scoresheet.

The search for points continued away at Rayo Vallecano, as they lost 2-1. The hosts were put at an immediate disadvantage with midfielder Oscar Trejo seeing red after just five minutes. However, it did not deter them, as Florian Lejeune put them ahead not long after. Their lead was made a bit more comfortable with 10 minutes to go through a goal from Jorge de Frutos. Boye halved the deficit with a minute remaining, but it was too late for them to salvage a point. Their most recent game was a home fixture against Celta Vigo, which they lost 2-1. Bruno Mendez scored a consolation after they went 2-0 down.

Both teams come into this one in inconsistent form but will want to end the season with a win. We expect the hosts Girona to prevail, keeping a clean sheet and securing third place in the league table – Girona 2-0 Granada

U.S viewers will be able to watch Girona vs Granada on ESPN+.