Girona vs Real Sociedad Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Spanish Primera
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THE FACTS
When is Girona vs Real Sociedad on and what time does it start? Girona vs Real Sociedad will take place on Saturday 3rd February, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Girona vs Real Sociedad? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Girona vs Real Sociedad on in the UK? Girona vs Real Sociedad 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 Sociedad in the UK? Girona vs Real Sociedad can be streamed live on Viaplay, while ITV matches can be streamed live on ITVX
THE LOWDOWN
GIRONA
It has been a frankly remarkable campaign for Girona as they challenge for the Spanish title. The Catalan club, from a city of just 100,000 people, did get knocked off top spot in midweek as a result of Real Madrid’s victory over Getafe in a derby on Thursday but that will not knock their spirits as they seek to continue with their fairytale story, welcoming Real Sociedad to Montilivi this weekend.
The hosts have been knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the quarter-final stage by Real Mallorca recently but that means they can pour all of their attention into simply genuinely winning the league title. UEFA Champions League football almost seems like a given at this point as they sit 13 points clear of Athletic Club in fifth. They recovered from that aforementioned loss to Mallorca by defeating an improving Celta side in Galicia by a goal to nil last weekend.
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad’s story in recent years should not get overshadowed, although it will if Girona go on to win the league. With a squad almost primarily made up of academy graduates, they have won a Copa del Rey, are in the semi-finals of this season’s cup and also won their UEFA Champions League group, finishing above last season’s runners’ up, Internazionale, to do so.
They have managed all of that whilst playing one of the more intense pressing styles in European football that has often caused a bit of a dip in form in the second-half of the campaign. However, La Real are still looking comfortable in the top six as they come into this one on the back of just one defeat in their last 17 matches across all competitions.
THE TEAM NEWS
GIRONA
Former Manchester City defender Eric Garcia has joined the Girona injury list with the likes of Juanpe, David Lopez and Toni Villa.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Couto, Martinez, Blind, Gutierrez; Herrera, Garcia; Tsygankov, Portu, Savio; Dovbyk
UNAVAILABLE: Garcia (Injured), Juanpe (Injured), Lopez (Injured), Casals (Injured), Villa (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL SOCIEDAD
Real Sociedad are missing several key players for this weekend’s trip to Catalonia with Ander Barrenetxea and Arsen Zakharyan among those unavailable due to injury.
PREDICTED XI (5-2-3): Alex Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Pacheco, Galan; Zubimendi, Turrientes; Oyarzabal, Sadiq, Silva
UNAVAILABLE: Zakharyan (Injured), Munoz (Injured), Fernandez (Injured), Barrenetxea (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
As mentioned, Real Sociedad have an extremely specific tactical identity built on an aggressive pressing system. That can often suffocate the space for both themselves and the opposition but when exploited can lead to high-scoring affairs. They face a Girona side that have had 77 goals come in their 22 matches so far this season so an entertaining encounter is in store.
TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
