Espanyol will host Girona on Friday evening at the RCDE Stadium as they seek to secure a vital win in La Liga. Currently, Espanyol is positioned fifth in the league, trailing fourth-placed Atletico Madrid by four points. Girona, meanwhile, has improved its standing, moving up to 13th place.
Match Preview
Espanyol’s season has been commendable so far, with a record of 10 wins, four draws, and five losses from 19 matches, earning them 34 points. The team enjoyed a five-match winning streak from November 24 to December 22 but has struggled recently, earning just one point in their last two fixtures. They faced a defeat against Barcelona in the Catalan derby and then drew 1-1 with Levante.
At home, Espanyol has a strong track record, winning six of their ten league games this season. They will face a Girona team that has only secured two wins away from home. Last season, Espanyol finished 14th, leaving room for improvement this year, which they have certainly achieved.
Head-to-Head Record
Espanyol has faced Girona 13 times in previous matches, winning three, drawing four, and losing six. Neither side was able to secure victory in the two encounters from last season, resulting in a streak of seven matches without a win against Girona for Espanyol since April 2019.
Recent Form
- Espanyol’s Last Five Matches: WWWWLD
- Girona’s Last Five Matches: DLWLWW
Girona enters this match having recently achieved two consecutive victories, beating Mallorca 2-1 and Osasuna 1-0. This resurgence has pushed them four points clear of the relegation zone and three points behind eighth-placed Athletic Bilbao. Last season, Girona finished narrowly above the relegation zone in 16th place and has significantly improved this season, aiming for a top spot.
Team News
Espanyol welcomes back Pol Lozano, who is eligible to play after serving a suspension. Coach Manolo Gonzalez is likely to make adjustments to the starting lineup, including the return of Roberto Fernandez and Roman Terrats. Javi Puado, who is recovering from a long-term knee injury, could see additional playing time as a substitute.
On the other hand, Girona will be without several players due to injuries, including Juan Carlos, Ricard Artero, Portu, Abel Ruiz, Azzedine Ounahi, and Donny van de Beek. Additionally, Lass Kourouma will miss the match after receiving a red card against Osasuna. Coach Michel may retain the same lineup that secured victory against Osasuna, featuring experienced midfielder Thomas Lemar.
Projected Lineups
| Espanyol | Girona |
|---|---|
| Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero; Terrats, Exposito, Lozano, Dolan; Fernandez, Milla | Gazzaniga; Rincon, Reis, Blind, Moreno; Tsygankov, Martinez, Lemar, Martin, Gil; Vanat |
In this upcoming match, El-Balad anticipates a close and competitive encounter. However, Espanyol’s robust home record may provide them the edge needed to clinch a 2-1 victory over Girona.
