League leaders Girona will look to keep their top spot intact with a win when they hit the road to square up against Celta Vigo.
Girona have surprised one and all with their incredible run in the ongoing season, they are top of the table ahead of the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. Now, they need to ensure they claim all three points against Celta Vigo away from home to remain at the apex.
Celta Vigo are currently 16th on the points table. They have only managed to win thrice so far this season but have accumulated a total of 17 points thanks to the eight draws that they have played out. The home team are just two points clear of the drop zone if they don’t turn things around survival will become difficult.
They have won two out of their last five league games and are heading into this one on the back of a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey. Despite having the ball and creating a few chances of their own, Celta were never really in it. And, they will have to put up a much better fight to ensure they stand a chance against Girona.
The visitors are at the summit with 52 points out of their 21 matches. They have only suffered one defeat so far this season and have won 16 times. They are only a point ahead of Real Madrid who have a game in hand. If Los Blancos win their game on Saturday, Girona will have added pressure to take care of on Sunday.
Girona have been unbeaten in their last five league outings, they have won three and drawn two. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Mallorca in the Copa del Rey. After thrashing Sevilla 5-1 in the league, they failed to bring their A game against Mallorca. Despite dominating the ball and creating numerous chances they failed to make it to the semi-finals.
Both teams will be eager to claim all three points for different reasons. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both squads and tries to predict the tactics they could use.
Team News & Tactics
Celta Vigo
Rafael Benitez will be without the services of Joseph Aidoo and Franco Cervi. Meanwhile, Jonathan Bamba is away on international duty.
Benitez made a few changes to his XI for the Copa del Rey fixture and he is expected to call back his regular starters for this one.
The home team will go ahead with the 4-4-2 formation where Vicente Guaita will be in goal. Oscar Mingueza and Manu Sanchez will start out wide as the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Unai Nunez will pair up with Carlos Domínguez.
The back four will look to keep a clean sheet against the best attack in the division. They will receive support from those playing in the centre of the park. Miguel Rodríguez and Luca de la Torre will feature outwide. They will provide width to the attack and also look to support the full-backs.
Carlos Dotor and Renato Tapia will feature in a more central role. The duo will control the possession of the ball and dictate the pace. As far as the attack is concerned, Iago Aspas will pair up with Jorgen Strand Larsen up top.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Guaita; Mingueza, U Nunez, Dominguez, M Sanchez; Rodriguez, Tapia, Dotor, De la Torre; Aspas, Larsen
Girona
The league leaders will be without the services of Eric Garcia, Juanpe, David Lopez, Joel Roca and Toni Villa due to injury.
Girona didn’t field their best XI in the Copa del Rey fixture and they are expected to make a few changes to that XI. Artem Dovbyk who has been on fire in La Liga with 20 goal contributions in as many matches will return to the XI.
The visitors will go ahead with the 4-5-1 formation where Paulo Gazzaniga will take charge in goal. Yan Couto and Miguel Gutierrez will start out wide as the full-backs. Daley Blind will feature in the heart of the defence alongside Antal Yaakobishvili.
Viktor Tsygankov and Sávio will provide the width to their plays. The duo will have the support of Aleix Garcia, Iván Martín and Yangel Herrera who will feature in the centre of the park. The trio will look to dictate the pace and ensure they have the majority of the ball.
Dovbyk will start up top as the sole forward, given his recent form Girona will expect he gets himself on the scoresheet again.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Gazzaniga; Couto, Yaakobishvili, Blind, Gutierrez; Tsyhankov, A Garcia, Martin, Herrera, Savio; Dovbyk
Key Stats
- The home team have won seven out of their 16 matches against the league leaders who only have five wins to show.
- Girona have the best attack in the league having scored 51 goals so far.
- Celta Vigo are the joint-third lowest-scoring team in the division with 21 goals.
- Girona’s defeat at the hands of Mallorca last time out ends their 17-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
- The visitors have scored 11 goals in their last three matches but they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those.
Player to Watch
Savio
The 19-year-old has done wonders since joining Girona on a season-long loan from French club Troyes. He has featured in all 21 of their league games and has managed to contribute towards 12 goals.
Savio has played his part in helping them challenge for the league title. He is going to be a key player for them in the second half of the season as they look to claim the silverware. And, their manager will hope he comes well against Celta Vigo.
Prediction
Celta Vigo 0-2 Girona
Girona’s 17-match unbeaten run might have ended in their last outing but they have only lost once in the league this season. That defeat came against Real Madrid quite a few weeks back. They haven’t lost in their last 13 league outings and will look to make it 14 against Celta Vigo.
The home team haven’t had the best of times of late. They are struggling for survival in the Spanish top flight and don’t really have enough in their tanks to get past the league leaders. As a result, The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the visitors.