Bidding to halt a six-game winless run in all competitions, Girona will continue their 2024-25 La Liga campaign with a home fixture against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday afternoon.
The Catalan outfit have found it tough this term after an excellent 2023-24, currently sitting down in 12th spot in the table, while Athletic are fifth, boasting 14 points from their opening eight matches.
Match preview
Girona enjoyed a remarkable 2023-24 campaign, finishing third in Spain's top flight, and it was always going to be difficult for them to repeat that this term, especially with the added emotion of Champions League football.
The White and Reds have lost both of their Champions League matches this season to Paris Saint-Germain and Feyenoord, while they are winless in their last four in Spain's top flight, losing to Barcelona and Girona before drawing with both Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo in quick succession.
Michel's side are currently 12th in the table, boasting a record of two wins, three draws and three defeats from their eight matches to collect nine points, which has left them seven points off the top four.
Girona have picked up four points from their three home league matches this season, and a win on Sunday would certainly make everyone connected with the club feel a lot better ahead of the international break.
The Catalan side only picked up one point from their two league games with Athletic during the 2023-24 campaign, which came in a 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture.
Athletic also have European commitments this season, with the Lions competing in the Europa League, and they will enter the match off the back of a 2-0 success over AZ, which made it four points from their first two matches, leaving them in 11th position in the table.
Ernesto Valverde's side are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, including their last four in La Liga, beating Las Palmas, Leganes and Celta Vigo before drawing 1-1 with Sevilla last time out.
The Basque side have a record of four wins, two draws and two defeats from their eight league matches this season, which has left them in fifth position in the table on 14 points.
Athletic are only two points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid and will be expecting to be in the mix for a Champions League spot this term, but it remains to be seen how they balance domestic and European action, should they advance deep into the Europa League.
The Lions beat Girona 3-2 when the two sides last locked horns in February 2024, while they have a recent away league success over Sunday's opponents to their name, recording a 2-1 victory in March 2019.
Team News
Girona will be without the services of five players through injury, with Viktor Tsygankov, Daley Blind, Oriol Romeu, Jastin Garcia and Ricard Artero unavailable for selection.
Head coach Michel will make changes to the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Feyenoord, with Arnaut Danjuma, Portu and Cristhian Stuani potentially being introduced in the final third.
Donny van de Beek was on the scoresheet against Feyenoord and should retain his spot on Sunday, while Blind's absence will allow David Lopez to continue in the middle of the defence.
As for Athletic, Benat Prados, Yeray Alvarez and Unai Simon are out of the match through injury, while Julen Agirrezabala will miss the contest due to the red card that he picked up in the clash with Sevilla.
As a result, there is set to be a start between the sticks for number three goalkeeper Alex Padilla, while Oscar de Marcos and Alex Berenguer are in line for recalls following the Europa League game with AZ.
Nico Williams set up his brother Inaki Williams to score during the European affair, and the pair will once again be in the starting side for the intriguing La Liga battle on Sunday afternoon.
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Frances, D Lopez, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Van de Beek, Herrera; Portu, Stuani, Danjuma
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Padilla; De Marcos, U Lopez, Paredes, Lekue; Jauregizar, Vesga; N Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; I Williams
We say: Girona 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
This is a tough match for both sides off the back of European contests; Athletic are certainly in the better form, but Girona are a strong outfit on home soil, and we are expecting the points to be shared on Sunday afternoon, which both managers would likely accept if it were offered ahead of kickoff.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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