Girona will go in search of their 18th La Liga victory of what has been an extraordinary campaign when they welcome Real Sociedad to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday afternoon.
The home side are currently top of the table, one point clear of second-placed Real Madrid, while Real Sociedad sit in sixth position, two points ahead of seventh-placed Real Betis.
Match preview
© Reuters
Girona's La Liga record this season stands at 17 wins, four draws and one defeat from 22 matches, with a total of 55 points leaving them top of the division, one point ahead of second-placed Real Madrid.
It has been a remarkable campaign for the Catalan outfit, and they are crucially 13 points ahead of fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao in the race for a top-four finish, which would still represent a stunning season even if they were to fall away in terms of the title picture in the closing stages of the campaign.
Girona's elimination in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey could actually help them in terms of the title race, as they now have just the league to focus on, whereas Real Madrid will be thinking about both La Liga and the Champions League in the coming weeks.
Michel's side were held to a surprise goalless draw by basement side Almeria in the league on January 14, but they have won their last two in Spain's top flight, beating Sevilla 5-1 and Celta Vigo 1-0.
Girona's next two league games after this one are away to Real Madrid and Athletic, demonstrating the importance of picking up a positive result on Saturday evening, but Real Sociedad are also in need of the points.
© Reuters
The visitors will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano, with the result leaving them down in sixth position in the table, picking up 36 points from their opening 22 matches of the campaign.
The Basque side are 11 points behind fourth-placed Barcelona, so it is going to be difficult for them to claim a Champions League finish, while they are also six points behind rivals Athletic in fifth.
Imanol Alguacil's side have only won nine times in the league this season, with too many draws (nine) preventing them from sitting higher up the table at this stage, and they are only two points ahead of seventh-placed Real Betis.
Real Sociedad are still active in three competitions, preparing to take on Mallorca in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey, while they will meet Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 stage of the Champions League.
The White and Blues have never lost against Girona in Spain's top flight, but four of their last five meetings at this level have finished all square, including a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Team News
© Reuters
Girona will be missing five players on Saturday through injury, with Eric Garcia, Juanpe, David Lopez, Joel Roca and Toni Villa unavailable for selection.
Head coach Michel could make one change from the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Celta last time out, with Ivan Martin likely to replace Portu in the first XI.
Artem Dovbyk has been in impressive form in La Liga this season, scoring 14 goals and registering six assists in 21 appearances, and the 26-year-old will again lead the line for the title hopefuls.
As for Real Sociedad, Arsen Zakharyan, Martin Merquelanz, Kieran Tierney, Aihen Munoz, Carlos Fernandez and Ander Barrenetxea are out of the contest due to fitness problems.
Meanwhile, Takefusa Kubo is representing Japan at the Asian Cup, and Hamari Traore is with the Mali squad at the Africa Cup of Nations, so the visitors will be far from at full strength.
Javi Galan has arrived at the club on loan from Atletico Madrid this month and should continue as the left-sided wing-back, while Mikel Merino is available again after a suspension.
There are also expected to be recalls for Brais Mendez, Mikel Oyarzabal and Sheraldo Becker, with the trio starting on the bench against Rayo last time out.
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Couto, A Martinez, Blind, Gutierrez; Herrera, A Garcia; Tsyhankov, Martin, Savio; Dovbyk
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Pacheco, Galan; Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino; Oyarzabal, Becker
We say: Girona 2-1 Real Sociedad
If Real Sociedad were at full strength for this match, we would be backing the visitors to claim a point, but they will once again be missing some important players, and we are expecting Girona to navigate their way to yet another three points in Spain's top flight.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
