Real Madrid will be looking to fend off the chasing pack when they travel to Girona for a Spanish La Liga fixture on Sunday. The hosts have done some good work at home lately, but seem to always struggle against Los Blancos.
It has been a difficult start to the season for Girona, who have earned just two victories from their 12 La Liga matches so far. They are currently in the relegation zone on goal difference, and manager Michel will be keen to spark a resurgence.
Girona were held to a 1-1 draw at Real Betis last time out in La Liga, with Vladyslav Vanat getting their goal. They are also unbeaten in their last four La Liga home matches.
Real Madrid remain the team to beat in Spain, having gone unbeaten in 12 of their 13 La Liga matches so far. They were held to a 2-2 draw at Elche in their previous fixture, cutting their lead at the top to just one point.
Los Blancos have a solid record on their travels and are unbeaten in five of their last six away matches in all competitions. They claimed a 4-3 victory at Olympiacos in a midweek Champions League clash, with Kylian Mbappe scoring all four goals.
How the bookie view it: Madrid overwhelming favourites
Real Madrid have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 2/5 by William Hill to claim the win. Girona are considered outsiders at 11/2 with bet365, while a draw is set at odds of 17/4 on Ladbrokes.
Head to head: Los Blancos on top
Real Madrid have an 8-3 advantage, with one draw in the last 12 matches against Girona. Los Blancos did the double last season, claiming a 3-0 victory in the away clash.
Players to watch: Red hot Mbappe
Mbappe scored four goals in midweek and will be the one to watch for Real Madrid on Sunday. The forward is showing no signs of slowing down and will be keen to add to his 13 La Liga goals (Kylian Mbappe anytime goalscorer – priced at 8/15 by bet365).
Real Madrid have been unconvincing at the back lately, and Girona have the quality to cause some problems. They will look to Vanat, who scored his third league goal last time out (Vladyslav Vanat anytime goalscorer – valued at 21/10 on Ladbrokes).
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Probable line-ups:
Girona have injury problems, with Donny van de Beek, Thomas Lemar, Daley Blind and Cristian Portu all ruled out. Vanat should feature in attack once again, while Vitor Reis is set to continue at the back.
Real Madrid will be without Dean Huijsen, Antonio Rudiger, and Franco Mastantuono through injury, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could miss out with illness. Andriy Lunin is likely to line up in goal, with Mbappe leading the line once again.
Girona: Gazzaniga, Moreno, Reis, Martinez, Rincon, Witsel, Martin, Tsygankov, Ounahi, Gil, Vanat.
Real Madrid: Lunin, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Carreras, Mendy, Tchouameni, Guler, Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius, Mbappe.
Anything else catch the eye?
Real Madrid led at the break in their last four matches against Girona (Real Madrid halftime win – available at 5/6 on Betfred. Los Blancos have also scored in both halves in the last five meetings (Real Madrid to score in both halves – offered at 10/11 on William Hill).
Given the minimal odds for a straight Real Madrid victory, a win and over 2.5 goals offers more value (Real Madrid win & over 2.5 goals – set at odds of 4/5 by Betfred).
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