Barça welcome Girona for the derby and top match
For FC Barcelona, it is the third big home game in a row – and the Catalans are aiming for their third win. After decisive victories in the Champions League against Porto (2:1) and La Liga against Atletico Madrid (1:0), they now face their third major test: Sunday evening sees the derby and top match against La Liga’s surprise team, FC Girona.
In view of the La Liga table, only a win counts for Barcelona in the clash between second and third in the table, as Barça are four points behind Girona and Real Madrid, who are level on points at the top of the table. The role of favorites has been clarified in advance, as the odds for Barcelona vs. Girona make clear, but one should not expect such a clear thing
In our preview of the La Liga match Barcelona vs Girona, we explain why Girona are rightly at the top of the table, why the north-east Catalans should not be underestimated and which exciting tips you can find and play on in this match, including betting odds, predictions, statistics and team checks for both clubs.
Barcelona – stats & current form
Barcelona have done their homework twice at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys and now face their third tough test. The pressure was on coach Xavi Hernandez’s team, as performances and results did not match up in the fall. However, Barça responded just in time with two good results: Things would have been really dicey in the Champions League had Barça not beaten runners-up Porto 2-1, securing their place in the round of 16 with one matchday to go after all.
FC Barcelona win two of the three home games of truth
This was clearly a confidence boost ahead of the thriller against Atletico Madrid, which Barça won again at the same venue four days later. The Catalans ran out deserved 1-0 winners after perhaps their best performance of the season, at least in the first half. Two of the three games of truth have been victorious, and now the next tough home game awaits when Girona visit the Catalan derby on the local mountain Montjuic on Sunday.
The good news is that Xavi’s team will be playing at home again. While Barça have often struggled away from home this season, their home record is very strong: they have won seven of their eight league games (only the Clasico against Real Madrid saw an unnecessary stoppage-time defeat) and three home wins in three games in the CL
However, Barça have often struggled this season against teams that press early and aggressively and follow their bold plan with confidence – and Girona are a big test in that regard.
Predicted Barcelona line-up:
Girona – Statistics & current form
Barça will certainly not make the mistake of underestimating Girona FC in the derby; a glance at the table is enough. Girona are not only equal second in the table and have four more points than Barça, the small Catalan club have also only conceded one defeat and have only failed to take full points in three games. Just as impressive: Girona is the strongest team in La Liga in attack, with 34 goals for the season, ahead of the big clubs Real Madrid (33) and Atletico (30) and surprisingly well ahead of Barcelona (28).
Girona: best offense and best away team in La Liga
Only in one game did the north-east Catalans fail to score, a 3-0 home defeat against Real Madrid. And Girona also had enough chances to score in that game – and even had more possession than the Blancos. The entertainment factor is extremely high in Girona games, results such as 4-2, 5-3 or 5-2 have been the order of the day, the latter result not only in La Liga (against bottom side Almeria), but also this week. Girona had to play in the Spanish Cup and won in the 2nd round at fourth-division side Orihuela. FC Barcelona, as participants in the Spanish Super Cup, were not playing in this round of the Copa del Rey.
Girona have not only scored the most goals in La Liga in general, but together with Real Madrid are also the best away team (6 wins, 1 draw, 0 defeats, 19 points) and the highest-scoring away team (16 goals).
It is therefore safe to assume that the visitors will by no means barricade themselves in the derby, but will remain true to their style and play in a swashbuckling manner. In view of the attacking strength of both teams, we consider the bet on both teams scoring over 2.5 goals in Barcelona v Girona to be obvious.
If you trust the underdogs to score more than just goals, namely points, you will be rewarded with very exciting odds for the FC Barcelona vs Girona match
Predicted Girona line-up:
Barcelona – Girona head-to-head comparison / H2H record
In view of the form, table situation and style of play of both teams, this is a top match at eye level, but the direct comparison speaks a different language. Girona have never managed a win against Barca. In just seven meetings so far – this is only Girona’s fourth season in the Spanish top flight – Barcelona have won five times and drawn two.
Last year, however, the points were shared at the same venue (0-0), although not quite the same venue – back then it was the Camp Nou, now Barça are playing at the Olympic Stadium while it is being renovated. In the last two home games, Girona surprisingly held the favorites to a draw, and back then the northeast Catalans were not the high-flyers they are this season.
It may therefore be worthwhile again to bet on a draw between FC Barcelona and Girona
Barcelona – Girona betting tip
If you like, FC Girona are a bit like the Spanish equivalent of VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga. Courageous, possession-oriented soccer, strong transitional play after winning the ball, a lot of self-confidence in their own strength and even more goals: this is how Girona are storming to the top of La Liga
FC Barcelona face a rebellious opponent in the derby, who have already caused them problems in recent years. Xavi’s eleven could have them this time too; if the game was at the Montilivi in Girona, things might be different.
However, Barça are a class above away from home and a force to be reckoned with – which is why we dare to predict that Barcelona will struggle against Girona and concede (at least) one goal, but ultimately win the game
