Girona’s title challenge will be put to the test on Sunday night. Los Rojiblancos will travel to Barcelona to face off with the Blaugrana in a top-three showdown.
Barcelona will start the weekend in third place and four points off first-place Real Madrid. Girona are sandwiched between the two teams. However, Los Rojiblancos are level on points with Madrid at the top of the table.
Girona and Real Madrid are separated merely by goal difference. A win for Barcelona would put them even more in the title race.
While a win for Girona would keep them neck and neck with Madrid. It would also justify their bid for a first-ever La Liga trophy.
Girona are La Liga’s in-form team. They took 16 points from the last six matches, scoring 15 times and conceding seven goals.
Girona have shockingly only lost one time this season. They lead the league in goals scored with 34.
If manager Michel can tighten up the team’s defence, then Girona could put even more of a challenge in for the La Liga title.
Barcelona nearly matched Girona’s form over the course of the last six matches. The Blaugrana tallied 13 points, scoring seven goals and conceding just four.
Xavi’s team isn’t the high-flying, goal scoring team fans saw previously. This is a team tallying points thanks to defence.
Barca are the league’s best home team. They lost just one of their eight matches at home. Each of the Blaugrana’s last two home games ended in wins.
Girona are La Liga’s joint-best away team. They have a record of six wins and one draw in seven road matches.
Each of their last six matches away from home were wins. Los Rojiblancos scored 16 goals and conceded eight times on the road.
These teams played two low-scoring games last season. Barcelona went to Girona and won 1-0 before the teams drew nil-nil at Camp Nou.
Although last season’s games were low scoring, this season could see more goals between the two sides.
Xavi won’t have Inigo Martinez available due to a muscle injury. Defender Marcos Alonso is also suffering from an injury and will sit out.
Midfielder Gavi and goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen are both ruled out with leg injuries.
Michel won’t have Yangel Herrera available. Joel Roca Casals and Toni Villa are both ruled out through injury. Michel could have Borja Garcia and Ricard Artero available following ankle injuries, respectively.
Barca should continue their excellent home form, with a 2-1 win over Girona. The game should be high-scoring, with Girona pushing Barca the entire way.