Will Girona remain unbeaten at the promoted team?
Patrons are now as much a regular part of top-flight soccer as investors or even investor groups. Girona Fútbol Club, for example, is a permanent member of the City Football Group, a holding company that also includes Champions League winners Manchester City or other clubs from various continents.
In terms of finances and networking, this circumstance certainly has a positive effect on the small club from Catalonia, but nevertheless the strong start to the season in La Liga came as something of a surprise. Ten points are on the books after four match days. On Monday evening, coach Míchel’s team will be looking to further underpin their impressive form and secure their current top spot. The prerequisite for this is that betting on the northeastern Spaniards between Granada and Girona pays off.
Such a scenario seems anything but unlikely, because while the aforementioned Catalans have been able to score with remarkable stability so far, the promoted team from the south of the country has had to pay a lot of dues in the first four match days. The defense in particular has so far failed to prove that it can compete in the top flight.
Granada – Statistics & current form
After just a year away, Granada celebrated immediate promotion back to La Liga last season. After 42 intense days of play in the lower house, the southern Spaniards deservedly took the championship and thus sealed their return to the Beletage of the Iberian Peninsula. Defensively, El Graná was particularly convincing, conceding only 30 goals. The red-and-whites thus had the second-best defense in La Liga 2, but so far they have not been able to confirm their performance against the ball one level higher.
In the first four matchdays, Paco Lopez’s team conceded a whopping twelve (!) goals. Although some teams have already played five games, this regrettably high word, which is accompanied by an average of three goals conceded per match, is representative of the most vulnerable defensive line in the league. Just before the international break, they suffered a 5-3 defeat at Champions League contender Real Sociedad.
Granada must find a better balance
The Andalusians have now (hopefully) used the last two weeks to work on their own behavior in defense. The fact is that the promoted team can only achieve the season’s goal of “staying in the league” if they improve considerably defensively and do not try to win matches by scoring more goals, i.e. primarily on the offensive.
It is quite possible that the Lopez eleven will reduce the risk a bit for the first time on Monday night and adjust the style of play accordingly. Between Granada and Girona, the odds on a maximum of three goals in the course of the game are definitely of interest, especially since the “Nazaríes” have conceded half as many goals in two home games so far as they have away from home.
The only three points in the season so far have also come in front of their own fans. Another defeat at the end of matchday five, meanwhile, would see the Filipinos slip to a relegation spot. Qualitatively, the promoted team is also not as strong as the guest from Catalonia, who can throw more individual class into the ring due to the connections to renowned clubs discussed in the introduction.
Predicted lineup of Granada:
Granada (Expected lineup) 4-4-2
Girona – statistics & current form
Undeniably, Girona Fútbol Club is so far one of the positive surprises in this still young first division season in Spain. Admittedly, however, the Catalans’ pleasing performance is not entirely unexpected. Last year, the “Blanquivermells” had nothing to do with relegation and even had realistic chances of reaching the European stage, but ultimately had to settle for tenth place.
This season, coach Mìchel’s protégés want to attack the top and, at best, even qualify for international competition for the first time. In any case, the squad has plenty to offer. Eric Garcia (on loan from FC Barcelona), Yangel Herrera (on loan from Manchester City) and Artem Dovbyk, who cost the club almost 10 million euros, underline the quality of the squad. In our opinion, therefore, lower odds on the away win between Granada and Girona would have been absolutely justifiable.
Is Girona still convincing?
In this early stage of the season, the Catalans have proven their class not only once. Ten points out of a possible twelve are on the books. While there were victories at home against two weaker opponents without conceding a goal, the four points from the two away games at the Champions League representatives Real Sociedad (1:1) and Sevilla (2:1) must have thrilled those responsible even more.
The total of two goals conceded corresponds to the top value in the league. Only FC Barcelona, who have already played one game more, and Atletico Madrid, who celebrated a victory before the international break that was hardly thought possible, have a better goal difference than the Gironistas, who will travel south with great self-confidence and want to continue their run of success.
If Stuani and Co. can continue the performances of the first four matches, we are not even averse to making a prediction on the away win between Granada and Girona. On the three-way market, Bet3000 is offering an appealing 2.60.
Predicted lineup of Girona:
Girona (Expected lineup) 4-1-4-1
Granada – Girona Direct comparison / H2H balance
For the first time ever, the two clubs will face each other in Spain’s top division on Monday night. So far, there have only been six encounters in La Liga 2, with Granada coming out on top four times, including winning all three of their home games. However, four of those six matches are some 80 years in the past. The most recent two head-to-head duels, dating back to the 2010/211 season, also have no relevance with regard to the upcoming match.
Granada – Girona tip
Promoted team receives surprise team. This is how the constellation can be briefly summarized on Monday evening on matchday 5 in La Liga. While the “Nazaríes”, who as champions in 2022/23 were able to achieve immediate promotion to the top flight, are still paying dearly and, with only three points and twelve goals conceded, occupy one of the lower ranks, Girona are in the top four and, if they win, could even temporarily join the phalanx between Real Madrid and Barcelona.
The situation in the standings is one of the reasons why we see the guests from Catalonia ahead in this duel. According to betting providers, however, we can expect a hot match without clear favorites. On the three-way market, the betting odds between Granada and Girona have converged. This is not entirely understandable, because in addition to the far better form, the quality also speaks in favor of the northeastern Spaniards.
In our eyes, it is therefore a smart approach to place a combined bet before the duel Granada vs. Girona that the Míchel team will not leave the field as losers, but at the same time this time a maximum of three goals will be scored in the course of the match.
