The sensational Girona are looking to move into first place when they meet with Almeria this weekend in La Liga as the second-placed side are level on points with Real Madrid after a magical campaign in La Liga.
Girona are no doubt the surprise package of the season across world football this season. The club have only been in La Liga for a handful of seasons and managed to finish 10th last time out.
🗣️ @Michel8Sanchez : ❝No estem obligats a guanyar. Estem obligats a fer un gran partit, a donar el 100% i a ser nosaltres mateixos.❞ #AlmeríaGirona— Girona FC (@GironaFC) January 12, 2024
🗣️ @Michel8Sanchez : ❝No estem obligats a guanyar. Estem obligats a fer un gran partit, a donar el 100% i a ser nosaltres mateixos.❞ #AlmeríaGirona
They are now, however, sitting in second place with a points tally of 48 - this puts them clear of the champions Barcelona by seven and behind Real on only goals difference.
Girona have won the same amount as the favourites to win La Liga (15), although with 13 more goals let in than the league leaders (24), the club are sitting second.
However, as this points tally keeps them 10 above Atletico Madrid in fifth, fans will already be confident in finishing in a Champions League spot for next season.
Better yet for Girona, the club managed to edge past Elche in the round of 32 in the Copa del Rey last time out, as Daley Blind scored for the second game running alongside a goal from Yan Couto.
A stunning victory over Atletico in La Liga just before this saw Blind bag once more and kept Girona on the heels of Real.
Valery Fernandez scored after just two minutes that day, and despite Alvaro Morata scoring a hat-trick, goals from Blind and Savio brought the game level. The headlines were then stolen by Ivan Martin, who scored a stunning goal in the 91st minute to win the game.
Combine this with a draw against Real Betis, a 3-0 win over Deportivo Alaves, a magical 4-2 win over Barcelona at the Nou Camp, a 5-2 Copa del Rey win over Orihuela and a 2-1 victory over Valencia, and it means just one draw and six wins within the past month.
In fact, given how the second-placed side have also beaten Rayo Vallecano, Osasuna, Celta Vigo, Almeria, Cadiz, San Roque de Lepe, and also drawn with Athletic Club, it now means a 14-game unbeaten run since Girona lost to Real.
As for Almeria, they seem doomed this season with a spot in 20th right now and the lowest points tally across all of Europe's top five leagues with a dismal five points on the board. In fact, Almeria are yet to even win a game so far.
Forebet predicts a win for Girona and over 2.5 goals.