Valencia vs Girona Preview & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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With the continued years long crisis off the pitch for Valencia, they are now in significant strife on it as they face another tough test at Mestalla this weekend as they welcome a strong Girona side.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 21st September, 2024 - UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Valencia vs Girona may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
VALENCIA PREVIEW: RUBEN BARAJA ON THE VERGE
In the last few years, Valencia’s supporters have protested against the poor ownership of the club but nothing has changed and the annual suggestion that this may be the year they fall through the trapdoor is back and back again with some real and genuine concern that one of Spain’s giants may be in the second-tier next season.
The Valencians have collected just one point from their opening five matches and Los Che just look lost with Ruben Baraja under pressure for his job. Their most recent outing saw them travel to the capital to face Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano last weekend, eventually losing by three goals to nil with strikes from Conor Gallagher, Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez.
GIRONA PREVIEW: A NEW TASK
In just their fifth season in La Liga, City Football Group owned Girona managed to achieve a third-placed finish in La Liga and qualify for the UEFA Champions League before losing the likes of Aleix Garcia, Savio and Artem Dovbyk over the summer. Michel, though, remains at the helm and they look to once again be a promising and entertaining side.
The Catalans most recently suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in midweek in which goalkeeper Paolo Gazzaniga was guilty of a 90th minute howler. They have also suffered heavy losses to Atletico Madrid and Barcelona but performances have been strong and results against anyone else have been good.
VALENCIA TEAM NEWS: PLENTY OF ABSENTEES
What hasn’t helped Valencia’s start to this season would be the amount of injuries that they are dealing with experienced defenders Mouctar Diakhaby and Jose Luis Gaya both out.
Former Sevilla striker Rafa Mir has been internally suspended as a result of him now being the subject of an investigation into an alleged rape.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Carlos Tarrega, Cristhian Mosquera, Correia; Diego Lopez, Hugo Guillamon, Pepelu, Luis Rioja; Javi Guerra, Dani Gomez
UNAVAILABLE: Jaume Domenech (Injured), Diakhaby (Injured), Jose Luis Gaya (Injured), Fran Perez (Injured), Hugo Duro (Injured), Rafa Mir (Disciplinary)
QUESTIONABLE:
GIRONA TEAM NEWS: NO FRESH CONCERNS
Girona do not have many issues to deal with as they make the trip down to Mestalla with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues for Michel to deal with.
Ricard Artero remains a long-term absentee with youngster Jastin Garcia also still a doubt as they search to get back to winning ways against rock-bottom opposition.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Paolo Gazzaniga; Alejandro Frances, David Lopez, Blind, Miguel Gutierrez; Ivan Martin, Jhon Solis; Bryan Gil, Tsygankov, Danjuma; Abel Ruiz
UNAVAILABLE: Ricard Artero (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Jastin Garcia (Injured)
VALENCIA VS GIRONA PREDICTION
Valencia may not have long left in the Spanish top-flight and Ruben Baraja may not have long left in the Valencia dugout. The home team play a flat 4-4-2 with plenty of players out of position or simply lacking experience. Girona will go to Mestalla and, as they always do, seek to play on the front foot with a Girona victory to be expected, albeit it could be quite a fun game for the neutral with Valencia in desperation mode.
VALENCIA VS GIRONA TIP: GIRONA TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
