Girona vs Villarreal Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Girona have slipped into the battle to stay up in La Liga as the Catalans now prepare to take on a Villarreal side still tucked inside the top five and the UEFA Champions League spots in Spain.
Kick-off date/time: Saturday 10th May, 2025: 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 Villarreal may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Girona Preview: Catalan collapse
Last season, Girona managed a third-place finish in La Liga and a first ever UEFA Champions League qualification in what was their fifth ever top-flight campaign but Michel warned against a drop off this season following the sale of several key players and that has indeed happened.
The Catalans begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting six points clear of the bottom three and the relegation places courtesy of a much-needed but slender 1-0 defeat of Real Mallorca at Montilivi last weekend thanks to an early strike from club captain Cristhian Stuani.
Villarreal Preview: Pushing for UCL
Ever since the appointment of Marcelino, Villarreal have been thrilling to watch and this season they have matched that with an effectiveness, too, that has them in pole position to claim a top five spot and UEFA Champions League qualification in the final few weeks of the campaign.
The Yellow Submarine come into this one on the back of a thrilling 4-2 defeat of Osasuna at El Madrigal last weekend in a game in which they had led 3-0 and 4-1 thanks to a brace from Ayoze Perez as well as goals from Thierno Barry and Nicolas Pepe.
Girona Team News: The old guard
The aforementioned Cristhian Stuani has returned to the Girona eleven recently as they battle against the drop alongside the experienced Portu as they return to the older members of the squad. The likes of Miguel Gutierrez, Donny van de Beek and Bryan Gil are key absentees.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Paulo Gazzaniga; Arnau Martinez, David Lopez, Krejci, Blind; Ivan Martin, Arthur, Yangel Herrera; Tsygankov, Cristhian Stuani, Portu
Unavailable: Ricard Artero (Injured), Miguel Gutierrez (Injured), Van de Beek (Injured), Misehouy (Injured), Bryan Gil (Injured)
Questionable:
Villarreal Team News: Couple of absentees
Morocco international attacking midfielder Ilias Akhomach remains unavailable for Villarreal this weekend due to an ACL injury, whilst experienced centre-back Raul Albiol also remains unavailable with former Watford full-back Kiko Femenia also a doubt, too.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Junior; Pau Navarro, Foyth, Costa, Sergi Cardona; Pepe, Santi Comesana, Dani Parejo, Gueye; Barry, Ayoze
Unavailable: Raul Albiol (Injured), Akhomach (Injured)
Questionable: Kiko Femenia (Injured)
Girona vs Villarreal Prediction
Girona have been one of the most entertaining teams to watch in Spain in the last couple of seasons. That hasn’t quite been the case this time around but they have remained a good watch for the neutral. They now face a Villarreal side that have suffered just one defeat in their last seven matches in La Liga with their 34 games consisting of 107 goals. A high-scoring affair may well be expected in Catalonia but Villarreal would appear firm favourites for this one.
Girona vs Villarreal Tip: Villarreal to win & both teams to score
