Girona will be aiming to end a four-game winless run in all competitions when they continue their La Liga campaign away to Celta Vigo on Sunday afternoon.
The Catalan outfit, who finished third in La Liga last season, are currently 12th in the table, boasting eight points from their opening seven matches, while Celta, who have lost their last two, sit in 10th.
Match preview
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Celta won their opening two La Liga matches of the season against Alaves and Valencia, but they have now been beaten in four of their last five, including losses in their last two matches.
The Sky Blues looked to be claiming a welcome point against Atletico Madrid on Thursday evening, only for Julian Alvarez to score a last-gasp winner for Diego Simeone's side in Vigo.
Celta's recent run has been disappointing, but all things considered, it has been a solid start to the campaign for Claudio Giraldez's side, who sit 10th in the table on nine points.
Goals have not been a problem this season, finding the back of the net on 14 occasions, with only Barcelona (23) and Real Madrid (16) managing more, but they have conceded 14 times, which is actually the joint-second worst defensive record in the division in 2024-25.
Celta lost both league matches against Girona last season, with their last victory over the Catalan outfit coming in August 2022, but the two sides played out a 1-1 draw in Vigo in May 2023.
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Girona had an extraordinary 2023-24 campaign, finishing third in the La Liga table, so it was always going to be difficult for them to match their achievements from last season.
The White and Reds have not managed to show the level that they did last term, but it has still been a relatively solid start, picking up eight points from seven matches to sit in 12th spot in the table.
Michel's side are winless in their last four matches in all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in their first-ever fixture in the Champions League on September 18.
Girona lost 2-0 to Valencia in the league last weekend, but they did manage to claim a point at home to Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night.
The fixtures are coming thick and fast at the moment, with the team preparing to tackle Feyenoord in their second Champions League game of the season next week, before welcoming Athletic Bilbao in their final match before the October international break.
Team News
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Celta will again be without the services of three players through injury on Sunday, with Oscar Mingueza, Mihailo Ristic and Luca de la Torre unavailable for selection.
The Sky Blues did not pick up any further problems in their clash with Atletico, but it seems likely that head coach Giraldez will look to freshen up his side this weekend.
Ilaix Moriba could be in line for a spot in the middle of midfield, while Javi Rodriguez could also be introduced, but the front three, including the experienced Iago Aspas, should remain unchanged.
As for Girona, Jastin Garcia and Ricard Artero will miss out through injury, but the Catalan outfit are otherwise in strong shape ahead of their clash with Celta.
Cristhian Stuani has scored twice in La Liga this season and could be in line for a recall in the final third of the field, while Arnaut Danjuma is also expected to return to the XI.
Oriol Romeu and Donny van de Beek are options for change in midfield, but Ivan Martin and Yangel Herrera should continue in the middle for the Champions League outfit.
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Rodriguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Carreira, Beltran, Moriba, Alvarez; Aspas, Iglesias, Swedberg
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Martinez, D Lopez, Blind, Gutierrez; Tsyhankov, Martin, Herrera, Danjuma; Asprilla, Stuani
We say: Celta Vigo 1-2 Girona
Girona won both league games between the two sides 1-0 last season, and we are expecting another close match on Sunday afternoon. It would not be a surprise to see a draw, but we just have a feeling that Girona will be able to navigate their way to a vital three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
