Girona vs Villarreal predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the Yellow Submarine travel to Montilivi.
| Date | Saturday 20th May 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 14:00 (CEST) |
| Stadium | Montilivi |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Girona vs Villarreal Preview
Girona and Villarreal meet in a really important game in the race for European places this weekend. While 9 points separates the sides and it’s unlikely the two will end up directly competing for positions, both teams could do with three points as they target a place on the continental stage next term.
Girona are currently in the UEFA Conference League slot on 48, but they could drop as low as 11th this matchday such is the competition for 7th place with 5 teams currently separated by just 2 points. Of those, it’s Girona and Sevilla who feel like they have the most momentum and the Catalans come into this game having taken 10 points from their last 4 matches.
Michel’s side are doing all this without a number of important players and they’ll have to check on the fitness of several key men here with Taty Castellanos, Aleix Garcia, Yangel Herrera and Borja Garcia all injury doubts. Despite the absence of those players, they still came from behind to pick up an impressive 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad last time out.
Villarreal are also dealing with some major selection trouble ahead of this game. First choice centre-backs Pau Torres and Raul Albiol are both out so it’ll most likely be Jorge Cuenca and Aissa Mandi in defence, a partnership which hasn’t always convinced. Veteran midfielder Dani Parejo, still a key part of this team, is also out through suspension so Quique Setien will need to find somebody to fill in there and that may also have an impact on their ability to dominate possession.
The Yellow Submarine are playing well though and also take great momentum into this fixture. They hammered Athletic Club 5-1 last weekend with striker Nico Jackson doing so well that it’s going to be hard for Gerard Moreno to even regain his place in this side.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Girona
| INJURED | Kebe, Roca, Villa |
| DOUBTFUL | Castellanos, Herrera, Borja Garcia, Aleix Garcia |
| BANNED | Romeu |
Possible XI: Gazzaniga – Miguel, Bueno, Juanpe, Arnau – Tsygankov, David Lopez, Ivan Martin – Riquelme, Stuani, Couto (4-3-3)
Coach: Michel
Villarreal
| INJURED | Coquelin, Morales |
| DOUBTFUL | Femenia, Albiol |
| BANNED | Torres, Parejo |
Possible XI: Reina – Pedraza, Cuenca, Mandi, Foyth – Baena, Terrats, Capoue – Pino, Jackson, Chukwueze (4-3-3)
Coach: Quique Setien
Score Prediction: Girona 3-2 Villarreal
This game promises to deliver goals with two teams that like to commit players forward. Villarreal’s problems in defence are a big worry for the visitors though and Girona may be capable of exposing that and taking another big step towards European qualification.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions and previews are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
