Despite the success Girona are enjoying this season, some context is needed to their excellent run. For the most part, a large majority of their points have come against sides in the bottom half of the table, with seven of their twelves victories being achieved when playing the teams that occupy the last seven places in the current standings. This is a significantly sterner test.

Additionally, the 0-0 draw they secured here last season came on the back of Barcelona’s 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Real Madrid in El Classico just five days prior to that fixture. Xavi’s side will therefore be better equipped mentally to face their opponents this term, and they are strongly fancied to put a marker down and stamp their authority on the title race this season.

Beating Atletico Madrid last weekend certainly feels significant as they have been one of the best teams in the division thus far, and psychologically, that is sure to inspire the home team to consolidate that victory with another here. While the visitors are not without chance, this should be a comfortable and routine victory similar to the one which Real Madrid enjoyed over Girona when running out 3-0 winners.

Predictions:

🏆 Barcelona to win @ 1.44

We could be in for a really open contest here. While Barcelona are expected to dominate possession, Girona will look to play on the counter attack and as such we could see an open game with a few goals at either end, especially with the attacking talent on display. The likes of Robert Lewandowski, Joao Felix, Artem Dovbyk and Savio have all been in great form for their respective sides this season.

The visitors have been very clinical in front of goal and are the league’s highest scorers with 34 goals so far this campaign, and they were in fine form again in the Copa del Rey during the week as they hit minnows Orihuela for five. Míchel’s side have also achieved the league’s second best xG this term (27.9) with only their opponents having a higher ratio, showing both create plenty of chances.

Twelve of Girona’s 16 matches in all competitions this season have seen three or more goals, with over half of Barcelona’s games having seen the same outcome (11 of 20 games). Girona are fancied to grab themselves a goal during the game, and it would be a real surprise if the hosts didn’t get themselves on the scoresheet too. Goals are surely the order of the day here.

Predictions:

🥅 Both teams to score @ 1.57

⚽ Over 2.5 goals @ 1.44

With a pulsating end to end game expected, we could see a number of shots on target for both sides here. Barcelona are currently averaging 5.67 on target per game having registered a total of 85 in their fifteen matches, while Girona hold a decent record themselves with 70 shots on target in the same amount of games. Both are expected to rack a few up during the course of 90 minutes.

For the hosts, the most likely candidate comes in the shape of Joao Felix. The Portuguese international is enjoying his time at the Catalan club at the moment having scored in his last two games, firstly against Porto in the Champions League before grabbing the winner last weekend. He’s averaging 1.35 on target per 90 minutes at present and he’s taken to make his mark in this game.

The visitors will get their own chances and Artem Dovbyk looks the most likely player to get involved in the final third action. The Ukrainian has scored an impressive seven goals in his fourteen appearances since signing from Dnipro in the summer while also providing four assists. Dovbyk takes more shots than anyone in this Girona side and has already had 14 on target this season.

Predictions:

🎯 Artem Dovbyk to have 1+ shots on target @ 1.50

🎯 Joao Felix to have 1+ shots on target @ 1.25

⚽ Joao Felix to score anytime @ 2.38

Barcelona are certainly fancied on the corner markets in this game. Xavi’s men lead the league by some distance in the possession statistics, averaging 65.5% this season, and Girona will have to work hard to get the ball into the wide areas in the final third to create corner winning opportunities. However, the majority of the game is likely to be played in their own half.

The hosts have won a total of 88 corners in their fifteen fixtures this term, which is an average of 5.86 per game, and they are only second to Real Madrid in this area of the game. Not only that but they don’t concede many either, giving up just 56 this season which is one of the lowest in the league and something which can be attributed to their dominance of the ball in terms of possession.

Girona themselves don’t tend to win many corners, picking up just 70 this season. What’s interesting here though is the disparity in corners during this fixture last season where Barcelona racked up an impressive twelve to the visitors two, and a similar outcome is likely in their latest meeting. Taking the home side to win at least five or six makes plenty of appeal, as does selecting the corner match bet.

Predictions:

🚩 Over 4.5 Barcelona corners @ 1.36

🚩 Over 5.5 Barcelona corners @ 1.75

🚩 Barcelona corner match bet @ 1.30