Financial neighborhood duel
One of the clashes on matchday 15 shows just how different market values can be on a soccer pitch. The difference between the opponents is over 15 points. This is quite surprising for many observers. However, when looking at Girona and Valencia, it keeps the betting odds busy
The visitors should have all the trump cards on their side. At 178:161, the duel for market value goes to the bats, but the table makes the gray theory fade. Anyone who believes the predictions for Girona and Valencia will find an even bigger gap after this matchday
Of course, the geographical proximity also adds to the excitement. On the east coast, the duels between the teams from Catalonia and Valencia are always hotly contested. A look at the table also leaves many wondering whether Girona will “finally” stumble.
So far, the season reads a little like that of Leicester City. That may also be one reason why the odds are so clearly distributed for Girona v Valencia
Girona – Statistics & current form
Catalonia are chasing the Merengues. For once, however, the hunter is not wearing blue and red.
The fact that Girona are just behind Real in second place and even sitting on the throne of the sun is one of the big surprises for many observers. The fact that this is the case after 14 rounds only adds to the astonishment.
However, the reason for this is relatively simple: the Blanquivermells’ offense is the leader in the Spanish top flight. Neither Real nor Barca have managed 32 goals in 14 games. The Catalans’ games are among the most entertaining in the league.
If you consider that the squad is far below the market values of the big teams from Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla or the Basque Country, you can see a little Cinderella story here. The question now, of course, is how far the fairytale can be spun
The defense is not standing
What makes the Girona outfit even more interesting than their hunger for goals is their rather patchy defense. With 17 goals conceded, they are clearly ahead of the duo from the capital and FCB. The fact that this can also backfire became clear in Monday’s match against Bilbao.
Although they dominated possession (60%), their 1.08 xG was well below the 1.41 of the visitors. As a result, the lead did not hold and in the end it remained 1:1. In total, they only managed to keep a clean sheet four times. Celta (1:0), Cádiz (1:0), Las Palmas (1:0) and Getafe (3:0) are rarely to be found at the top of the table.
So if Girona against Valencia is more of a betting tip 1, the focus will be on the performance of the forward line. Artem Dovbyk (12), Sávio (8), Aleix García (7), Yangel Herrera (4) and Christian Stuani (4) have scored almost at will so far. If the defense around new signing Daley Blind can raise itself to a similar level, it could go a long way.
Predicted Girona line-up:
Valencia – Statistics & current form
The trajectory of Valencia’s performances so far is strikingly similar to that of their heraldic animal. With the constant ups and downs, it is difficult to get into the top ranks.
Los Che’s lack of consistency is the biggest problem for Rubén Baraja. He has been on the touchline at his former club since mid-February 2023. The results so far fit perfectly with the current season.
There have been 32 games under his leadership so far. 12 wins and defeats are complemented by eight draws. The goal difference stands at 34:37. The current season has contributed five wins and defeats, as well as four draws, with 16:18 goals
The powder is wet
When you look at the offensive performance data, you quickly realize that there is a relatively banal reason for the slump. Hugo Duro has six goals and two assists in 14 appearances. However, he has been injured for some time!
The attacking newcomers Fran Pérez (4), Diego López (2), Sergi Canós (0), Roman Yaremchuk (0) and Alberto Marí (0) have hardly scored at all so far. So the transfer market has not brought any useful recruits to the east coast.
The remaining attackers are Mario Dominguez and Hugo González, who have scored one goal between them. Although Valencia have only conceded more than two goals against Betis (0:3) and Real (1:5), even that can be too much with such a lame offense. As long as the strikers aren’t scoring, the focus should be on a solid defense.
Predicted Valencia line-up:
Girona – Valencia head-to-head comparison / H2H record
Looking at the present, it seems rather surprising and yet this duel has only been played a few times. Only since the City Group joined Girona have the men from the north of Catalonia been able to satisfy.
Accordingly, the score is (still) 4:2 with 7:5 goals to Valencia. However, there is a good chance that the 1:0 from the previous season will be repeated. At least that’s what many predictions assume when looking at Girona and Valencia
Girona – Valencia betting tip
The course of the season so far has clearly shown the distribution of roles. Here the surprise team of the season, there a big name that has been running behind its own standards for years. According to this reading, the odds are also divided between Girona and Valencia
For us, when looking at Girona and Valencia, betting tip 1 also seems to be the better solution. Especially after the point loss against Bilbao in the previous week, redemption is the order of the day. Valencia, on the other hand, are struggling with their own form
