Girona will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga for the first time this season when they welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi on Saturday evening.
The Catalan outfit are currently 10th in the La Liga table, boasting 18 points from their opening 13 matches of the campaign, while Espanyol sit 18th, having picked up only 10 points from their first 12 matches of the season.
Match preview
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Girona had a remarkable 2023-24 campaign, finishing third in La Liga, which saw them directly qualify for the league phase of the Champions League, so this is a historic season for the Catalan team.
It was always going to be difficult for the White and Reds to match that level this season, though, and they are currently down in 10th spot in the table, picking up 18 points from their first 13 matches of the campaign.
Michel's team are only three points behind fifth-placed Osasuna, though, and they will enter this match in strong form, having beaten Leganes and Getafe in their two games before the November international break.
Girona have been inconsistent at home this season, picking up 10 points from their six matches courtesy of a record of three wins, one draw and two defeats, but they will be welcoming an Espanyol outfit that have lost their last four on their travels, conceding 12 times in the process.
The White and Reds have a huge Champions League match against Sturm Graz next week, and that is a must-win fixture for the club, as they are currently down in 29th spot in the overall Champions League table, picking up just three points from four games.
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Espanyol, meanwhile, suffered a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in their last match on November 3, with the result in the Catalan derby making it three straight losses in the league.
Manolo Gonzalez's side beat San Tirso 4-0 in the Copa del Rey at the end of October, but they have lost their last three in Spain's top flight to Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla and Barcelona, which has dropped them into the relegation zone.
The White and Blues have a record of three wins, one draw and eight defeats from their 12 league matches this season, with a total of 10 points leaving them in 18th spot, level on points with 17th-placed Getafe.
Espanyol came through last season's Segunda Division playoffs to secure a return to the top flight, and they will now be attempting to consolidate back at this level of football.
Girona recorded a 2-1 win when the two sides last locked horns in April 2023, but Espanyol have a recent away success over the White and Reds to their name, posting a 2-1 victory during the 2018-19 La Liga campaign.
Team News
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Girona remain without the services of a number of players through injury, with Yangel Herrera, Ladislav Krejci, Arnaut Danjuma, Gabriel Misehouy, Alejandro Frances, Portu and Ricard Artero definitely unavailable for selection.
Meanwhile, Abel Ruiz, Yaser Asprilla, Jhon Solis, Viktor Tsygankov and Ivan Martin face late fitness tests.
Donny van de Beek is once again expected to operate as a number 10 for Girona, whole Herrera's absence in the middle of midfield will open the door for Ferran Ruiz to feature from the first whistle.
As for Espanyol, Jose Gragera, Fernando Calero and Edu Exposito will miss the contest through injury, but the Catalan outfit do not have any other fitness concerns at this moment in time.
Javi Puado has scored four La Liga goals during the 2024-25 campaign, and the Spaniard will again feature in the final third of the field, while Jofre Carreras is also set to keep his spot.
On-loan Tottenham Hotspur attacker Alejo Veliz has only managed one La Liga goal this term, though, and the 21-year-old is likely to be among the substitutes for the first whistle on Saturday night.
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Juanpe, Lopez, Blind; Romeu, Ruiz; Gil, Van de Beek, Gutierrez; Miovski
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Romero; Tejero, Kral, Bauza, Aguado, Carreras; Puado
We say: Girona 2-1 Espanyol
Girona are missing so many players at the moment, but they are welcoming an Espanyol side that have struggled badly on their travels during the 2024-25 campaign, and we are expecting the hosts to record a narrow win to continue their strong form.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
