Bidding to bounce back from a heavy defeat in the Champions League, Girona will resume their La Liga campaign with a clash against Getafe at Estadi Montilivi on Sunday evening.
The visitors will enter the match off the back of a 4-0 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League, while Getafe suffered a 1-0 defeat to Celta Vigo in their last league fixture on Monday night.
Match preview
© Imago
Getafe have won one, drawn seven and lost four of their 12 league fixtures this season, with a total of 10 points leaving them in 16th spot in the La Liga table, just one point outside of the relegation zone.
The capital outfit's only victory of the season came at home to Alaves on September 28, and they then shared the points with Osasuna, Villarreal and Valencia in three straight games before losing to Celta last time out.
Jose Bordalas's side have been solid defensively this season, only conceding 10 times, which is the joint-third best record in the division, but they have struggled down the other end, boasting the joint-worst attacking record with just eight goals scored.
The Deep Blue Ones have been the draw specialists in Spain's top flight this term, but there has not been a stalemate between these two sides since December 2018, with each of their last five contests providing a winner.
Getafe recorded a 1-0 victory in the corresponding game during the 2023-24 campaign, and they will be aiming to make it four straight home league successes over Girona when the two teams lock horns this weekend.
© Imago
Girona, as mentioned, were beaten 4-0 by PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday, with the result leaving them down in 29th spot in the table, only picking up three points from their four matches in this season's competition.
The White and Reds had a historic 2023-24 season, finishing up in third spot, which saw them qualify for the league phase of the Champions League, but they have found it more difficult during the current campaign.
Michel's side have won four, drawn three and lost five of their 12 league matches this season to sit in 12th spot, six points behind fourth-placed Villarreal, who have a game in hand.
Girona were involved in a seven-goal thriller with Leganes last time out in Spain's top flight, which brought their third home league success of the campaign, but they have only managed to win once on their travels in La Liga this term.
Getafe, on the other hand, are unbeaten in front of their own fans, conceding just three times in the process, demonstrating the size of the task facing Girona in this weekend's intriguing contest in the Spanish capital.
Team News
© Imago
Getafe will be without the services of Djene Dakonam due to a hamstring problem, while Bertug Yildirim and Borja Mayoral will both face late fitness tests for the home side this weekend.
The capital outfit will also be missing Juan Berrocal, with the defender serving a one-game suspension due to the red card that he suffered after coming off the bench against Celta.
If neither Yildirim nor Mayoral are available, then Christantus Uche will continue as the centre-forward, and there have been suggestions that Chelsea are interested in signing the 21-year-old next year.
As for Girona, Arnaut Danjuma, Gabriel Misehouy, Alejandro Frances, Abel Ruiz, Yaser Asprilla, Jhon Solis, Portu, Viktor Tsygankov, Ricard Artero and Ivan Martin are out through injury.
Head coach Michel is therefore short of options when it comes to change, and the absence of a number of attacking players could mean that there is another spot in the XI for Donny van de Beek.
Arnau Martinez was sent off against PSV in the Champions League, but his suspension only relates to European matches, so the Spaniard should again feature in a wing-back role this weekend.
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Nyom, Duarte, Alderete, Rico; Aberdin, Milla; Perez, Arambarri, Sola; Uche
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Juanpe, D Lopez, Blind; A Martinez, Herrera, Silvi, Gutierrez; Gil, Miovski, Van de Beek
We say: Getafe 0-0 Girona
Girona are missing so many key players, while Getafe are set to be without some key attackers, so a lot of the signs are pointing towards a low-scoring draw this weekend, with the points likely to be shared in the Spanish capital.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
