Girona welcome Espanyol to Estadi Montilivi for a Spanish La Liga clash on Friday. The hosts have endured a disappointing start to the season and are still in search of their first win, while the visitors have shown flashes of quality so far.
Girona have been unable to replicate the highs of the 2023-24 season, when they started brightly and eventually secured a place in the Champions League. Michel's men are still without a win after six La Liga matches this term and were held to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao in their previous fixture.
Things appear to be much worse at home for Girona, who have lost all three of their La Liga matches at the Estadi Montilivi. They suffered a 4-0 defeat to newly promoted Levante in their previous fixture in front of their fans.
Espanyol, on the other hand, have been decent this season and are unbeaten in five of their opening six matches. They have picked up three wins in this run but were held to a 2-2 home draw by Valencia last time out in La Liga.
One area that could use some improvement for Espanyol is their away form, having failed to win on their travels this season. Manolo Gonzalez's team played out a 2-2 draw with Real Sociedad before losing 2-0 at leaders Real Madrid last time out on the road.
How the bookies view it: Girona with the edge
Girona have the edge among the bookies and are priced at 13/10 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Espanyol is valued at 17/10 while a draw is set at odds of 9/4.
Head to head: Advantage Girona
Girona have an 8-4 advantage, with four draws from 16 previous matches against Espanyol. The hosts also claimed a 4-1 victory in last season’s meeting at the Estadi Montilivi.
Players to watch: Milla to get scoring return
Pere Milla has been the star of the show for Espanyol, with three goals this season, and could be the one to watch on Friday. Javi Puado has also found the net twice, and both men can combine to produce over 0.5 goals for the visitors (Espanyol over 0.5 goals – offered at 2/5 with BoyleSports).
Ukraine striker Vladyslav Vanat got off the mark this season, while Azzedine Ounahi was also on target at Bilbao last time out. Both men can ensure the hosts produce over 0.5 goals – available at 2/9 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups:
Girona will be without the likes of Ricard Artero, Juan Carlos, Thomas Lemar, David Lopez, Viktor Tsyhankov and Donny van de Beek due to injuries. Meanwhile, Paulo Gazzaniga is expected to start in goal, with Vitor Reis, Axel Witsel, Hugo Rincon, Daley Blind, Alex Moreno and Vanat also set to feature.
Espanyol have no injury worries and will welcome Milla back into the squad following a two-match suspension. Marko Dmitrovic should continue in goal, with Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero in defence, while Puado and Edu Exposito are also available.
Espanyol: Dmitrovic, El Hilali, Calero, Carbrera, Romero, Lozano, Exposito, Dolan, Puado, Milla, Kike
Girona: Gazzaniga, Martinez, Reis, Blind, Moreno, Asprilla, Martin, Ounahi, Witsel, Rincon, Vanat
Anything else catch the eye?
Girona and Espanyol both scored in their two matches last season (BTTS YES – valued at 8/13 with BoyleSports). Three of the visitors’ last four matches have produced over 2.5 goals – priced at odds of 5/6.
Espanyol have one either half in three of their last four La Liga matches (Espanyol to win either half – set at odds of 20/21).
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