La Liga | Gameweek 28

Mar 15, 2025 at 8pm UK

Estadi Municipal de Montilivi

Girona vs Valencia

Match preview

Girona enjoyed an extraordinary campaign in 2023-24, finishing third in La Liga and securing Champions League football for the current season, but there is no getting away from the fact that this season has been more difficult for them.

Indeed, a record of nine wins, six draws and 12 defeats from 27 games has seen the Reds pick up 33 points, leaving them 13th in the standings, just seven points above the relegation zone.

Michel's side are not in serious danger of relegation at the moment, but they have won just one of their last eight league games, their last victory coming against Las Palmas in early February.

Girona have drawn with Celta Vigo and Espanyol in their last two games, and another disappointing result here would not leave them in a good position ahead of a clash with Barcelona at the end of March.

The White and Reds have taken 20 points from their 13 home league games in 2024-25 and will welcome a Valencia side who are yet to win on the road in La Liga this season.

Valencia's last La Liga away win came against Osasuna in April 2024, which is indicative of their struggles on the road, but their home form this season has been strong considering their position in the table.

Indeed, Los Che have taken 21 points from their 14 games in front of their own fans and will go into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid last time out.

Carlos Corberan's side have lost just one of their last six league matches, a home defeat to Atletico Madrid on 22 February, while their last away game ended in a 3-3 draw with Osasuna earlier this month.

Valencia have not been relegated from the Spanish top flight since 1986, so it would be something of a story if the six-time Spanish champions were to drop out of La Liga this season, but they are very much in contention at the moment.

Indeed, a record of six wins, nine draws and 12 defeats from 27 games has given them 27 points, which is good enough for 16th place, one point above the relegation zone and a point behind Espanyol in 15th.

Recent Performance

Girona La Liga form:WLLLDD

Valencia La Liga form:WWDLDW

Valencia form (all competitions):LWDLDW

Team News

Girona will once again be without Abel Ruiz, who is nursing a muscle problem, while Oriol Romeu remains a major doubt, but the home side have not reported any fresh problems from their 1-1 draw with Espanyol.

Coach Michel is unlikely to make any changes to his team for this fixture, with the majority of the players who started against Espanyol retaining their places, but Arnaut Danjuma could find a place in the final third.

Arthur started in central midfield last time out and the Brazilian should retain his position, while Donny van de Beek is likely to be among the substitutes for the opening whistle.

As for Valencia, Hugo Duro and Thierry Correia will again be absent through injury, but Los Che have no new concerns, so it is likely to be the same squad that faced Real Valladolid.

It would not be a shock to see Corberan name the same XI, with Umar Sadiq, who has scored four goals in his first seven appearances for the club, continuing at centre-forward in Duro's absence.

Fran Perez and Pepelu are among those who will be on the manager's radar for possible changes, but they are likely to be on the bench again when the game kicks off, with Javi Guerra and Diego Lopez in the starting line-up.

Possible starting lineup

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Blind, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Arthur, Herrera; Tsygankov, Miovski, Danjuma

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gaya; Guerra, Barrenechea; Rioja, Almeida, D Lopez; Sadiq