Girona vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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We have a Catalan derby taking place at Montilivi this weekend with Girona, set for a long and hard relegation battle, welcoming Espanyol across the region for this one.
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 Girona vs Espanyol may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Girona preview: Poor Girona
Girona come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with Athletic Club at San Mames in the Basque Country during the week. They took the lead in that game via Azzedine Ounahi, before Mikel Jauregizar equalised for Athletic in the second-half.
That has left Girona sitting rock-bottom in La Liga without a win in their opening six matches so far this season. Despite their underperformance and regression, Michel remains in post at Montilivi, at least at the time of writing.
Espanyol preview: Improved Espanyol
After a bright start to the campaign, Espanyol shared an entertaining 2-2 draw with Valencia at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona the other day. They went both 1-0 and 2-1 down in that game before snatching a point very late on via Javi Puado.
The Catalans have experienced a takeover of the club by Alan Pace, who is also the owner of Burnley. That led to some intriguing signings before the end of the window and they have started well with just one defeat in their opening six matches thus far
Girona team news: Plenty of issues
There are lots of issues for Girona to deal with for this one with Donny van de Beek now sidelined after being forced off the other day. They also have a couple of suspensions, such as Vitor Reis and Axel Witsel.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Paulo Gazzaniga; Hugo Rincon, Frances, Blind, Alex Moreno; Ivan Martin, Jhon Solis; Bryan Gil, Ounahi, Yaser Asprilla; Vanat
Unavailable: Juan Carlos (Injured), Krapyvtsov (Ineligible), David Lopez (Injured), Reis (Suspended), Witsel (Suspended), Lemar (Injured), Joel Roca (Injured)
Questionable: Van de Beek (Injured), Ricard Artero (Injured)
Espanyol team news: Nothing fresh
There are no fresh injury issues for Espanyol to deal with ahead of their trip to Girona this weekend. They do remain without Pere Milla, though, due to suspension for this one.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Riedel, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Pol Lozano, Edu Exposito; Dolan, Pickel, Javi Puado; Kike
Unavailable: Pere Milla (Suspended)
Questionable:
Girona vs Espanyol prediction
This is a Catalan derby that would perhaps have, at the start of the season, been viewed as an early season six-pointer between two evenly matched sides. However, Girona have essentially all but collapsed in the opening month or so of the campaign already. Espanyol, on the other hand, may well be looking to sustain their current tilt for the European spots and the visitors, looking strong under Manolo Gonzalez as they were in the second-half of last season, have to be seen as favourites, even away from home.
Girona vs Espanyol tip: Double chance – Espanyol to win or draw
