Two teams that have underwhelmed in the early stages of the 2024-25 La Liga campaign will lock horns on Saturday evening, with Girona welcoming Real Sociedad to Estadi Montilivi.
Girona have picked up 12 points from their opening nine matches of the season to sit down in 11th spot in the La Liga table, while Real Sociedad are 15th, having only collected nine points from nine games.
Match preview
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Girona had an outstanding 2023-24 campaign, finishing third in La Liga, which secured a spot in the league stage of the Champions League, but it would be fair to say that there has been a drop-off this term.
Indeed, a record of three wins, three draws and three defeats from their nine league matches this season has left them in 11th spot in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Villarreal.
Michel's side had actually been on a six-game winless run in all competitions ahead of their clash with Athletic Bilbao before the international break, but they managed to return to winning ways with a last-gasp penalty.
It did appear that the points would be shared, with Oihan Sancet cancelling out an opener from Yaser Asprilla, but the home side had other ideas, with Cristhian Stuani hitting the winner from the penalty spot in the 99th minute.
The White and Reds have a huge Champions League game against Slovan Bratislava next week, which will be regarded as a winnable fixture, but they cannot afford to take their eye off the ball in the league.
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Real Sociedad have perhaps been the biggest disappointment in La Liga this season considering their quality, with the Basque outfit currently sitting down in 15th spot in the table.
Imanol Alguacil's side, who finished sixth in La Liga last term, boast a record of two wins, three draws and four defeats from their nine league matches this season, which has seen them collect only nine points.
Goals have been an issue this term, only finding the back of the net on seven occasions, but they did enter the international break off the back of a positive result, holding Atletico Madrid to a 1-1 draw.
Real Sociedad will take on Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League next week, while a busy end to the month will also see their Copa del Rey journey for the 2024-25 campaign begin against Jove Espanol.
The White and Blues have shared the points with Girona in their last three meetings at this level of football, including a goalless draw in the corresponding match during the 2023-24 campaign.
Team News
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Girona will be missing a number of important players through injury on Saturday, with Viktor Tsygankov, Daley Blind, Oriol Romeu, Jastin Garcia and Ricard Artero all on the sidelines.
Pau Lopez and Bryan Gil will face late fitness tests, meanwhile, with the home side's squad stretched at this moment in time, which is far from ideal considering their busy schedule.
Head coach Michel could select the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Athletic, meaning that there might be another start in the number 10 position for Donny van de Beek.
As for Real Sociedad, Hamari Traore and Arsen Zakharyan will miss the match through injury, but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape in terms of their squad for this match.
There are not expected to be any surprises when it comes to the away side's XI on Saturday, although there could be a change in midfield, with Brais Mendez potentially being introduced, which would see Sergio Gomez move to full-back.
Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Oyarzabal are both set to start for Real Sociedad this weekend, while there should again be a spot in the first XI for Sheraldo Becker in a wide position.
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; A Martinez, D Lopez, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Herrera; Asprilla, Van de Beek, Danjuma; Ruiz
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Gomez; Zubimendi; Kubo, Sucic, Mendez, Becker; Oyarzabal
We say: Girona 1-1 Real Sociedad
This is a tricky game for both sides, and we are finding it difficult to separate them here. Five of the last six La Liga matches between the two teams have finished all square, and we are predicting another stalemate this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
