Girona vs Barcelona Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It is the Catalan derby at Montilivi this weekend as a battling and improved Girona seek to add further pressure to a Barcelona side that were humbled a few days ago.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Girona preview: Michel’s Girona
Having stuttered at the start of this season and appeared almost certain for relegation with manager Michel calling out players and the hierarchy, Girona have certainly turned things around, albeit are now again being dragged towards danger.
The home team come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with fellow stallers Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Andalusia last weekend, meaning that Girona are now winless in their last three matches in La Liga.
Barcelona preview: Need to win
Barcelona come into this one on the back of a 4-0 demolition at the hands of Atletico Madrid in the first-leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final at the Metropolitano due to an Eric Garcia own goal as well as Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez strikes before half-time.
Barca were torn to shreds in that game and their high-line does keep getting punished when against the absolute best – as was not necessarily the case last season until their UEFA Champions League semi-final with Internazionale.
Girona team news: Vanat a doubt
Ukraine international striker Vladyslav Vanat is a key man for Girona but he is now a doubt for this weekend, alongside Azzedine Ounahi and Fran Beltran.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Paulo Gazzaniga; Hugo Rincon, Reis, Blind, Arnau Martinez; Ivan Martin; Tsygankov, Lemar, Bryan Gil; Cristhian Stuani
Unavailable: Ter Stegen (Injured), Juan Carlos (Inured), Alex Moreno (Injured), Van de Beek (Injured), Ricard Artero (Injured), Portu (Injured)
Questionable: Ounahi (Injured), Fran Beltran (Injured), Vanat (Injured)
Barcelona team news: Left-wing doubts
Barcelona have a couple of injury issues on the left-hand side of their attack with Raphinha dealing with a thigh problem, while Marcus Radhford has suffered a knee injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Alex Balde; Marc Casado, Fermin Lopez; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres; Lewandowski
Unavailable: Christensen (Injured), Pedri (Injured), Gavi (Injured)
Questionable: Raphinha (Injured), Rashford (Injured)
Girona vs Barcelona prediction
Barcelona were shaken the other day but they have managed to bounce back impressively whenever dealt a blow under the management of Hansi Flick. Girona, at their best during the Michel era, have been a front foot and fluent football side and they will seek to exploit any weaknesses that are on show in this Barca setup – and so an away win in which both teams do score may well be the best bet for this one.
Girona vs Barcelona tip: Barcelona to win & both teams to score
