Girona vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have the lesser of three Catalan derbies this weekend with Girona taking on Espanyol in Catalonia this weekend as Michel’s hosts look to reignite their form against Manolo Gonzalez’ underwhelming visitors.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 23rd November, 2024: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Girona vs Espanyol may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Girona Preview: Needing a spark in Girona
As a member of the City Football Group, Girona lose key players nearly every summer and that happened again this summer with the departures of Aleix Garcia, Savio and Artem Dovbyk after they finished third in La Liga and qualified for the UEFA Champions League in just their fifth season ever in the top-flight.
The Catalans, coached by Michel, have, predictably, started the season slowly with five victories, three draws and five defeats in their opening 13 matches of the campaign. Girona come into this one on the back of a back-to-back victories before the international break, though, with wins against Getafe and Leganes.
Espanyol Preview: Tricky situation for Espanyol
Following promotion to the top-flight last season, Espanyol begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the bottom three and the relegation places after playing 12 games of the 2024/25 La Liga season. They have former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez at the helm after Luis Garcia departed to be Tintin Marquez’ assistant coach with the Qatari national side.
Girona Team News: Injury crisis
Girona are dealing with an injury crisis in La Liga at the moment with the likes of Ladislav Krejci, Yangel Herrera, Yaser Asprilla and Arnaut Danjuma all sidelined for the hosts.
The home team also have a couple of key attacking injury doubts due to injuries to both Ukraine international Viktor Tsygankov and former Barcelona striker Abel Ruiz.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Paolo Gazzaniga; Arnau Martinez, Juanpe, David Lopez, Blind; Selvi, Oriol Romeu; Bryan Gil, Van de Beek, Miguel Gutierrez; Miovski
Unavailable: Ricard Artero (Injured), Jhon Solis (Injured), Krejci (Injured), Alejandro Frances (Injured), Yangel Herrera (Injured), Danjuma (Injured), Misehouy (Injured), Yaser Asprilla (Injured), Portu (Injured)
Questionable: Tsygankov (Injured), Abel Ruiz (Injured)
Espanyol Team News: Several injuries
Summer signing from Roma Marash Kumbulla is unavailable with a leg injury this weekend alongside the likes of both Pol Lozano and Jose Gragera.
Experienced central midfielder Edu Exposito is unavailable due to an ACL injury whilst experienced defender Fernando Calero is an injury doubt, too.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Smith, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Rafel Bauza; Alvaro Tejero, Kral, Alvaro Aguado, Jofre Carreras; Javi Puado
Unavailable: Pol Lozano (Injured), Kumbulla (Injured), Jose Gragera (Injured), Edu Exposito (Injured)
Questionable: Fernando Calero (Injured)
Girona vs Espanyol Prediction
This Catalan derby is between two sides that, for different reasons, will be frustrated with signs of encouragement with regards to the start of the 2024/25 La Liga season. Girona have an injury crisis but Espanyol’s issues in the back-line are far more pressing and, as a result, Girona will be expected to get a routine victory in this one, especially with their home advantage, as they look to kick on again.
Girona vs Espanyol Tip: Girona to win