Girona vs Real Madrid Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Girona vs Real Madrid on and what time does it start? Girona vs Real Madrid will take place on Saturday 30th September, 2023 – 17:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Girona vs Real Madrid? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Girona vs Real Madrid on in the UK? Girona vs Real Madrid will be televised live on LaLigaTV, but La Liga matches are also televised occasionally on Viaplay Sports and ITV
Where can I stream Girona vs Real Madrid in the UK? Girona vs Real Madrid can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
GIRONA
Girona gained promotion back to the top-flight of Spanish football in 2022 and the Catalans comfortably survived, even challenging for a top seven finish and European qualification last season as one of the most entertaining teams in the league. Michel has remained as manager and, despite losing both Oriol Romeu and Valentin Castellanos, they have remained pleasingly excellent.
Girona began the season with a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad, who finished fourth last season. Since then, though, they have managed six successive victories as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures, astonishingly, sitting at the top-of-the-table in La Liga, following their come from behind 2-1 win away to Villarreal in midweek.
REAL MADRID
Los Blancos went into the 2023/24 campaign with a fair bit of uncertainty throughout the club, following the departure of captain Karim Benzema to Al-Ittihad and persistent rumours that manager Carlo Ancelotti will soon become the new Brazilian national team manager. They have remained relentless mentally but performances have evidently dipped.
Real Madrid started the season with six successive victories across all competitions this season but they were heavily reliant on late wins and the influence of their newest ‘galactico’ signing, Jude Bellingham. Four of those wins were by a one-goal margin with three victories coming extremely late on and two needing to come from behind.
THE TEAM NEWS
GIRONA
Despite their fast start to the season, Girona will be without certain players for this weekend with Bernardo Espinosa injured for the visit of Real Madrid.
PREDICTED XI (4-5-1): Gazzaniga; Martinez, Garcia, Lopez, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Herrera, Garcia, Martin, Savio; Dovbyk
UNAVAILABLE: Espinosa (Injured), Garcia (Injured), Casals (Injured), Artero (Injured), Villa (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL MADRID
Arda Guler is back in training but remains injured for this weekend with two key defensive injuries as key men Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois are out for the trip to Catalonia.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-1-2): Arrizabalaga; Nacho, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Diaz; Joselu, Rodrygo
UNAVAILABLE: Guler (Injured), Militao (Injured), Courtois (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Ahead of the season it would have seemed a bit far-fetched to view this as an early top of the table clash but that is exactly what it is. Girona’s incredible start to the season has followed a campaign in which only four teams scored more than them and four teams conceded more than them. That entertaining and front-foot style is one that they will take into this game and believe they can get at a vulnerable Los Blancos. Madrid have started with plenty of wins but only one or two impressive performances. They have the capability to score wherever they go but without Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois they are susceptible to any side that can play with a cohesive style of attack. Madrid may remain favourites but this should be a thriller in Catalonia.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE & OVER 2.5 GOALS
