Girona vs Real Sociedad Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
After a remarkable season in which they finished third in the 2023/24 La Liga campaign, Girona have naturally endured a difficult run of it this year as they start in mid-table against another underperformer in Real Sociedad this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 19th October, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Girona vs Real Sociedad may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
GIRONA PREVIEW: REGRESSION TO THE MEAN
Michel remains in charge of Girona and that is a big deal for the Catalans because he managed to cultivate a side that was ravaged last summer into a UEFA Champions League qualifier in what was just their fifth ever season in the top-flight. They have once again been ravaged in the window but things have been a little more inconsistent this time around.
In their opening nine matches of the 2024/25 La Liga season, Girona have managed three victories with three draws and three defeats. The hosts come into this one on the back of a much-needed 2-1 defeat of Athletic Club with a 99th minute winning Cristhian Stuani penalty before the October international break.
REAL SOCIEDAD PREVIEW: TRYING TO ADAPT
In each of the last few seasons, Real Sociedad have often started really quickly before fading quite badly. That is most likely as a result of La Real having one of the most intense pressing styles of football of any team in Europe. This time around, though, the Basque giants have struggled even at the start of the season.
Imanol Aguacil remains in charge but there may well be a little bit of pressure growing on him. They come into this one beginning the weekend sitting firmly in the bottom-half of the table with just two victories in their opening 11 matches across all competitions so far this season. Their most recent outing did see them earn a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid at the Anoeta.
GIRONA TEAM NEWS: SEVERAL ISSUES
There are plenty of issues for Girona to deal with this weekend with experienced players such as Daley Blind and Oriol Romeu sidelined for the Catalans through injury.
As well as that experienced duo, the home team are also without key men such as Viktor Tsygankov and Portu with Pau Lopez and Bryan Gil both doubtful, too.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Paolo Gazzaniga; Arnau Martinez, David Lopez, Krejci, Miguel Gutierrez; Ivan Martin, Yangel Herrera; Yaser Asprilla, Van de Beek, Danjuma; Abel Ruiz
UNAVAILABLE: Blind (Injured), Ricard Artero (Injured), Jastin Garcia (Injured), Oriol Romeu (Injured), Tsygankov (Injured), Portu (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Pau Lopez (Injured), Bryan Gil (Injured)
REAL SOCIEDAD TEAM NEWS: NEARLY FULLY FIT
Real Sociedad have been dealing with plenty of injuries throughout the campaign but the likes of Igor Zubeldia, Mikel Oyarzabal and Brais Mendez are all back fully fit and available.
They do still have one major injury absentee from the first-team with former Rennes right-back Ham Traore still sidelined alongside Pablo Martin with Arsen Zakharyan a doubt.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-4-1): Alex Remiro; Jon Aramburu, Igor Zubeldia, Ageurd, Javi Lopez; Martin Zubimendi; Kubo, Sucic, Sergio Gomez, Becker; Mikel Oyarzabal
UNAVAILABLE: Traore (Injured), Pablo Martin (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Zakharyan (Injured)
GIRONA VS REAL SOCIEDAD PREDICTION
Girona have often been one of the most entertaining teams to watch even when they are not getting consistent results as they were doing last season. The Catalans still have a lot of attacking options and general creativity. Real Sociedad have lacked incision and precision in attack but a more or less fully fit attack means they should improve and this should be quite an entertaining watch for the neutral.
GIRONA VS REAL SOCIEDAD TIP: BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
