Prediction: Girona vs Barcelona
Verdict: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 4/7
Hoping to widen their buffer at the top of the La Liga table on Saturday afternoon, Barcelona will make the trip to the Estadi Montilivi when they meet Girona.
Girona
Starting with the hosts, although Girona might have gained plenty of praise after making a shock La Liga return this season, the Blanquivermells are in the midst of a real downbeat run. Last seen putting in another toothless display as they slumped to a 1-0 loss away at Villarreal, Míchel’s side have shown a string of issues since returning from the World Cup’s winter break. Crashing out of the Copa del Rey last month following an infamous 2-1 loss at the hands of lower-league outfit Cacereno, fans around the Estadi Montilivi will know that their side face a real challenge on Saturday afternoon. Tumbling their way out the top-half of the La Liga standings and with just a single victory from any of their last five domestic outings, Girona have also shown some rather glaring defensive issues. In fact, Míchel’s men are yet to record a single top-flight clean sheet so far this season.
Team News
Girona have already confirmed that the trio of Reinier, Ibrahima Kebe and David Lopez will play no part at the Nou Camp on Saturday afternoon. Likewise, Santiago Bueno will miss out as the 24-year-old serves a suspension.
Making a first La Liga appearance off the bench against Villarreal last weekend, midfielder Borja Garcia could be handed a start here.
Barcelona
As for the visitors, storming their way to this year’s Super Cup thanks to a famous 3-1 victory against bitter rivals Real Madrid, Barcelona are enjoying a remarkable flurry this season. Likewise, claiming a 1-0 win at home against Real Sociedad earlier in the week while on Copa del Rey duties, Xavi’s side have continued to receive a string of praise from across Spain. Despite enduring a public Champions League nightmare prior to the World Cup break, Barca find themselves tipped as a leading contender to recapture their La Liga crown. Opening this weekend’s fixtures holding a three-point buffer over Los Blancos, it should be noted that Saturday’s guests have not suffered a single La Liga defeat since way back on October 16th. Riding what has become a monumental wave of momentum, there is no doubt that Xavi’s side will be smelling the chance to lay down another title marker at the Estadi Montilivi.
Team News
While there might have been some fitness concerns over 20-year-old sensation Pedri, the Spanish international has been given the green light to start here.
However, while Barcelona might have a clean bill of health this weekend, Xavi will be without Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres as the duo serves the final game of their suspension.
Key Factors to Consider
- Barcelona have won each of their previous six straight domestic matchups across all competitions.
- Likewise, Saturday’s guests have collected 22 points from just their last eight La Liga appearances.
- Barcelona have recorded a clean sheet in five of their previous seven La Liga matchups away from the Nou Camp.
- Girona have managed to record just a sole victory from any of their last five domestic outings.
- The Blanquivermells have also failed to record a single La Liga clean sheet so far this season.
Conclusion
Holding a three-point buffer at the top of the La Liga table and in the midst of what has become a remarkable post-World Cup flurry, Barcelona will simply be looking to keep up their momentum here. Lifting this year’s Super Cup thanks to a stellar 3-1 romp against Real Madrid on January 15th, Xavi’s high-flying squad have also collected 22 points from just their last eight La Liga appearances. Hoping to lay down another title marker on Saturday night, Barca will be looking to pounce on a Girona squad who are enduring a recent wobble. Still yet to record a single La Liga clean sheet this season, the Blanquivermells have also picked up just a sole victory from their last five domestic outings.
Verdict: Barcelona win
Best Odds: 4/7
