Espanyol vs Girona Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a Catalan derby taking place at the RCDE Stadium this weekend as an improving Espanyol side now take on a Girona side that are fading away from the European spots.
Kick-off date/time: Monday 10th March, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Espanyol vs Girona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Espanyol Preview: Improvement for Espanyol
When Espanyol gained promotion to the top-flight last summer, they lost their coach Luis Garcia to the Qatari national team to become assistant coach to Tintin Marquez, the hosts were tipped up as the main contenders for the drop in La Liga this season but they have fought well.
They have replaced him with former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez and after a difficult start to the campaign, Espanyol have begun to move away from the bottom three and the relegation places, most recently defeating Deportivo Alaves by a goal to nil a couple of weeks ago.
Girona Preview: Relying on Michel
Girona boss Michel said this season was going to be a tough one after the turnover in the squad following their third place finish last season. Finishing third means this season is a disappointment but the standard of the Girona squad means it is still an overperformance.
However, they are struggling at the moment and are fading away from the European places in La Liga with a 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo at Montilivi in their most recent outing last weekend ending what was a three-match losing streak in the league.
Espanyol Team News: Couple of injuries
Espanyol are dealing with a couple of injury issues ahead of the visit of regional rivals Girona but they are both pre-existing issues as goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco and midfielder Jose Gragera remain unavailable.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pol Lozano, Urko Gonzalez; Jofre Carreras, Kral, Javi Puado; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Fernando Pacheco (Injured), Jose Gragera (Injured)
Questionable:
Girona Team News: Abel Ruiz a doubt
Girona have endured a couple of injury crisis’ throughout the season but they are, fortunately, blessed with a short injury list ahead of this one as only former Barcelona striker Abel Ruiz is a concern this weekend.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Paulo Gazzaniga; David Lopez, Krejci, Blind; Arnau Martinez, Yangel Herrera, Oriol Romeu, Miguel Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Bryan Gil; Miovski
Unavailable:
Questionable: Abel Ruiz (Injured)
Espanyol vs Girona Prediction
Espanyol have made themselves difficult to beat and will also have a bit of freshness for this one having not played against Villarreal last weekend with that game being postponed right at the very last moment due to a weather warning. They have suffered just one defeat in their last eight matches across all competitions, including a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid last month. Girona, on the other hand, are simply just stumbling through to the end of the season when they will hope to rebuild in the summer. Espanyol are obdurate and in good form so, with home advantage, should be sided with here.
Espanyol vs Girona Tip: Double chance – Espanyol to win or draw
