Will Girona go ahead in the first leg?
As in the previous two years, Girona FC are in the final of the promotion play-offs again this season. The Catalans will meet Tenerife in the final of this year’s play-offs and are favoured in the first match against the traditional club from the Canary Islands – at least that is the assessment of the best bookmakers.
For Girona vs Tenerife, meanwhile, odds of only 2.00 are offered for tip 1. In the first and second legs of the regular season, Girona lost their matches against Tenerife. The chance for revenge is now in the final of the promotion play-offs.
The Catalan representatives will benefit from home advantage in the first leg. In the last round, Girona had squandered this advantage, but the Catalans celebrated an impressive victory at Eibar in the second leg and thus clinched the final ticket for the promotion play-offs. Tenerife, on the other hand, won both of their Canary Islands derbies against Las Palmas and will therefore go into the first leg of the final with a broad chest.
The last time the two clubs met was just under a month ago, when the Canary Islanders won narrowly 1-0 at the Catalans. Tenerife thus won a match at Girona for the first time since June 2009.
Girona – Statistics & current form
Girona FC were relegated from the Spanish top flight in the 2018/19 season. Since then, the Catalan representative has narrowly missed out on re-promotion twice in a row. In the last two seasons, Girona FC have reached the final of the promotion play-offs twice.
In 2019/20, the “Gironistes” were defeated by Elche. Just one season later, Rayo Vallecano became the Catalans’ final opponents. This season, Girona FC have their next chance of promotion to the Spanish top flight. The “Gironistes” will meet Tenerife in the final of this year’s promotion play-offs.
In the previous semi-final, Girona FC eliminated Eibar, a big favourite for promotion. Despite losing at home in the first leg, the Catalans successfully prevailed over the Basques in the semi-final second leg and are now in a promotion final of the second Spanish league for the third time in a row.
Will Girona use home advantage this time?
In the semi-final against Eibar, Girona had squandered home advantage. This time, the Catalans will be looking to go ahead in the first leg, building on their strength in their own stadium. In the regular season of La Liga 2, Girona were one of the strongest teams at home in the second Spanish league with a record of 13-3-5. Only three other clubs scored more points at home than the Catalans.
However, one of the few defeats at home that Girona suffered in this period was against their final opponents from Tenerife. The result against the Canary Islands visitors was certainly surprising, as Girona FC remained unbeaten in their eight previous home games against Tenerife.
If the Catalans show an act of defiance this time and take revenge for the defeat, the odds for Girona vs Tenerife are 2.00 for tip 1. As in the previous round, head coach Míchel can draw on a wide range of options. Minimal changes compared to the last starting eleven cannot be ruled out. Top scorer Stuani was only used as a wild card in the last game.
Predicted line-up of Girona:
Juan Carlos; Martinez, Bueno, Espinosa, Juanpe, Fernandez; Martin, Lozano, Garcia, Baena; Bustos
Last matches played by Girona:
LaLiga2 Playoff
05/06/2022 – Eibar 0 – 2 Girona
02/06/2022 – Girona 0 – 1 Eibar
LaLiga2
30/05/2022 – Burgos CF 0 – 0 Girona
22/05/2022 – Girona 2 – 0 CD Mirandes
15/05/2022 – Sporting Gijon 2 – 1 Girona
Tenerife – Statistics & current form
In contrast to the Catalans, CD Tenerife handled the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs without any problems. “Tete” not only prevailed in the semi-final first leg against their Canarian neighbours Las Palmas, but also won the second leg away from home.
The strong performances in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs were certainly surprising. In the last matches of the regular season, Tenerife did not make a good impression and even lost three games in a row in the final stretch of the season. In the final of the promotion play-offs, “Tete” now smells the chance of promotion to the Spanish top flight…
The last time the traditional club from the Canary Islands was represented in La Liga was in 2010. Since then, Tenerife has not only bumbled around in the second Spanish league, but has also been represented in the third division. Over the last few years, “Tete” has also stayed out of the promotion battle in La Liga 2. All the more surprising, therefore, is this year’s final appearance in the playoffs.
Strongest away team in La Liga 2
In the second division, Tenerife took 37 of their 69 points in the regular season away from home. With a record of 11-4-6, “Tete” was the strongest away team in the second Spanish league. Among other things, the Canarian representative also won the match at FC Girona. Against the Catalans, there was a narrow 1:0 victory in the second half of the season.
If “Tete” can win the next match, odds of __ on tip 2 are paid out for Girona vs Tenerife. Just like Girona, Tenerife will start the first leg of the final of the promotion play-offs with their best possible line-up. The visitors from the Canary Islands will only have to do without Larrea due to injury.
There are no other absences. Changes in the starting eleven are not to be expected. Gallego, substitute for the out-of-form goal-scorer Zorrilla, scored two goals in the Canary Islands derby against Las Palmas. It is quite possible that the 35-year-old veteran will be in the starting eleven this time as well.
Predicted Tenerife line-up:
Soriano; Moore, Gonzalez, Leon, Mellot; Mollejo, Corredera, Sanz, Bermejo; Gallego, Gonzalez
Last matches played by Tenerife:
LaLiga2 Playoff
05/06/2022 – Las Palmas 1 – 2 Tenerife
02/06/2022 – Tenerife 1 – 0 Las Palmas
LaLiga2
30/05/2022 – Tenerife 1 – 2 Cartagena
22/05/2022 – Eibar 2 – 0 Tenerife
16/05/2022 – Tenerife 0 – 2 Malaga
Girona – Tenerife Direct comparison / H2H balance
Girona FC lead the head-to-head comparison against CD Tenerife with a record of 8-5-6 in the last 19 matches between the two clubs. However, two of the six defeats have come for the Catalans this season. Neither in the first leg (1:2) nor in the second leg (0:1) could Girona hold their own against the Canarian representative.
The defeat in their own stadium was the first home defeat against Tenerife since June 2009. Before that, Girona had gone eight times in a row without defeat at home against Tenerife. It is quite possible that this will be repeated at least in the final of the promotion play-offs.
Girona – Tenerife tip
Girona have become regulars in the La Liga 2 promotion play-offs. Not only are the Catalans making their third consecutive appearance in the play-offs, but they are also in the final of the promotion play-offs for the third time in a row. In the last two seasons, Girona were defeated by Elche and Rayo Vallecano.
This time, Tenerife are a feasible opponent in the final of the promotion play-offs. The result in the first leg will be decisive. The “Gironistes” will benefit from the home advantage on Saturday evening and will be looking for a victory in the final.
The match against Tenerife will not be a foregone conclusion, however. The visitors from the Canary Islands have scored the most points away from home in the regular season. In addition, Tenerife easily mastered the semi-finals of the promotion playoffs, unlike Girona, and are therefore brimming with self-confidence
