Valencia's battle to stay out of the La Liga relegation zone will continue on Saturday night, when they head to Estadi Montilivi to tackle a Girona outfit that are without a victory since the start of February.
Los Che are currently 16th in the La Liga table, one point ahead of 18th-placed Alaves, while Girona occupy 13th, seven points clear of the relegation zone approaching the final stages of the campaign.
Match preview
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Girona had an extraordinary 2023-24 campaign, finishing third in La Liga to secure Champions League football for the current season, but there is no getting away from the fact that it has been more difficult for the team this term.
Indeed, a record of nine wins, six draws and 12 defeats from 27 matches has seen the White and Reds collect 33 points, which has left them in 13th spot in the table, only actually seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Michel's side are not in any serious relegation danger at this stage, but they have only been victorious in one of their last eight league matches, with their last win coming against Las Palmas at the start of February.
Girona have drawn with Celta Vigo and Espanyol in their last two matches, and another disappointing result here would not leave them in a good place ahead of a clash with Barcelona at the end of March.
The White and Reds have picked up 20 points from their 13 home league games during the 2024-25 campaign, and they will be welcoming a Valencia outfit that are yet to triumph on their travels in La Liga this term.
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Valencia's last away La Liga success came against Osasuna in April 2024, which is an indication of their struggles on the road, but their home form has been strong this season considering their position in the table.
Indeed, Los Che have picked up 21 points from their 14 matches in front of their own fans, and they will enter this game off the back of a 2-1 victory over Real Valladolid last time out.
Carlos Corberan's side have only lost one of their last six league fixtures, which came at home to Atletico Madrid on February 22, while their last game on their travels ended in a 3-3 draw with Osasuna at the start of the month.
Valencia have not been relegated from Spain's top flight since 1986, so it would be some story if the six-time Spanish champions dropped out of La Liga this season, but they are very much in the mix at this stage.
Indeed, a record of six wins, nine draws and 12 defeats from 27 matches has brought them 27 points, which is only enough for 16th spot, one point clear of the relegation zone, while they are one point behind Espanyol in 15th.
Team News
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Girona are again expected to be without the services of Abel Ruiz, who has a muscular issue, while Oriol Romeu remains a major doubt, but the home team have not reported any fresh problems from their 1-1 draw with Espanyol.
Head coach Michel is unlikely to shuffle his pack for this contest, with the majority of the players that took to the field for the first whistle against Espanyol keeping their spots, but there could be a spot in the final third for Arnaut Danjuma.
Arthur featured in central midfield last time out, and the Brazilian should retain his position here, with Donny van de Beek again expected to be among the substitutes for the first whistle.
As for Valencia, Hugo Duro and Thierry Correia will again be absent due to injury problems, but Los Che have no fresh worries, so it is expected to be the same squad available from the game against Real Valladolid.
It would not be a shock to see Corberan name the same XI here, with Umar Sadiq, who has four goals in his first seven appearances for the club, continuing at centre-forward in Duro's absence.
Fran Perez and Pepelu are among those who will be in the manager's thinking when it comes to potential changes, but they should again be on the bench for the first whistle, with Javi Guerra and Diego Lopez set to be in the XI.
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Blind, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Arthur, Herrera; Tsygankov, Miovski, Danjuma
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gaya; Guerra, Barrenechea; Rioja, Almeida, D Lopez; Sadiq
We say: Girona 1-1 Valencia
Valencia's away issues make it very difficult to back them to win here, but we are not expecting Los Che to lose, and a point against Girona would be valuable when it comes to their battle to stay in the division.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
