Girona will be bidding to make it five straight wins in all competitions and continue their remarkable start to the 2023-24 La Liga campaign when they head to Osasuna on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors are currently second in the table, level on points (28) with leaders Real Madrid, while Osasuna sit in 11th position, having struggled for consistency in the opening months of the season.
Match preview
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Osasuna enjoyed an excellent 2022-23 campaign, finishing seventh in La Liga in addition to reaching the Copa del Rey final, but they have found it difficult to show their best form thus far this term.
Indeed, a record of four wins, one draw and six defeats from 11 matches has left them in 11th position in the table on 13 points, and they will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Real Betis.
Osasuna actually levelled the scores in the 85th minute of the clash at Estadio Benito Villamarin last weekend, with Ruben Garcia finding the back of the net, but Isco came up with a Real Betis winner in the 94th minute.
Jagoba Arrasate's side now have back-to-back home matches against Girona and Las Palmas before the international break, but their form in front of their own supporters this season has been disappointing, recording just one victory from six games in all competitions.
Goals have also been a problem, scoring just 12 in their 11 matches, but they recorded a 2-1 victory over Girona when the two teams locked horns in the corresponding match last term.
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Girona's form this season has been remarkable, winning nine, drawing one and losing one of their 11 La Liga matches to collect 28 points, which has left them second in the table behind Real Madrid.
Michel's side are the joint-highest goalscorers in La Liga this season alongside Atletico Madrid, finding the back of the net on 25 occasions, and they have won their last three in the league against Cadiz, Almeria and Celta Vigo following the three-goal loss at home to Real Madrid.
The Catalan outfit also progressed in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday evening courtesy of a 2-1 success over San Roque Lepe, with their winning run in all competitions now at four matches.
Girona are only in their fourth season at this level of football, which makes their start even more remarkable, and they are well on course to post a record-high position in La Liga, with their current best proving to be 10th.
The White and Reds were actually close to being held to what would have been a disappointing goalless draw against Celta last weekend, but Yangel Herrera came up with a 91st-minute winner for the hosts.
Team News
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Osasuna will again be without the services of Juan Cruz through injury, but the home side are otherwise in excellent shape heading into the contest with Girona.
Head coach Arrasate is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack from the side that started against Real Betis, but there is likely to be a start for Ruben Garcia in a forward position.
Raul Garcia and Johan Mojica are also pushing to be involved from the first whistle, but the pair are again expected to start on the bench alongside the likes of Kike Barja and Pablo Ibanez.
Girona, meanwhile, will be missing David Lopez due to the injury that he picked up in the first half of the league contest with Celta last weekend.
Juanpe should therefore come into the XI, while there might also be a spot in the side for Portu, with Yan Couto potentially moving back into a wing-back position this weekend.
The Catalan side have a host of absentees at this moment in time, with Eric Garcia, Valery Fernandez, Borja Garcia, Juan Carlos, Joel Roca, Ricard Artero and Toni Villa also out.
Head coach Michel made changes for Wednesday's Copa del Rey contest, but the team's big-hitters will be back in the side for the clash with Osasuna.
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Areso, Catena, D Garcia, Pena; Moncayola, Torro; Ruben Garcia, Oroz, Gomez; Budimir
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Juanpe, Blind; Couto, Herrera, A Garcia, Gutierrez; Portu, Dovbyk, Savio
We say: Osasuna 1-1 Girona
Girona are flying at the moment, but they are sure to hit a rough patch at some stage of the season, and this has the potential to be a tricky match despite Osasuna's problems this season. Girona are certainly good enough to win this, but we just have a feeling that a tight match could end all square.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
