Espanyol vs Girona Preview: Predictions, Team News, Lineups
Espanyol is set to host Girona at the RCDE Stadium on Friday evening, seeking to regain momentum in La Liga. The match is crucial as the home side currently occupies the fifth position in the standing, trailing Atletico Madrid by four points. Girona, on the other hand, has climbed to 13th place following a recent resurgence.
Match Overview
Espanyol’s season has been commendable, with a record of 10 victories, four draws, and five defeats, amounting to 34 points from 19 matches. Earlier in the season, they achieved five consecutive wins, but have stumbled recently, earning just one point from their 2026 fixtures. Their last match ended in disappointment, losing to Barcelona in the Catalan derby and tying 1-1 against Levante.
Home Advantage for Espanyol
At home, Espanyol has secured six wins from ten league matches, positioning them favorably against a Girona team that has struggled on the road with only two away victories this season. Historically, Espanyol has faced Girona 13 times, securing three wins, four draws, and suffering six losses.
Recent Form of Both Teams
- Espanyol’s recent La Liga form: WWWWLD
- Espanyol’s overall form: LWWWLD
- Girona’s recent La Liga form: DLWLWW
- Girona’s overall form: LLWLWW
Last season, both encounters between these teams ended in draws, and Girona is unbeaten against Espanyol since April 2019, with a streak of seven matches.
Recent Performances
Girona, coached by Michel, has showcased improvement recently, winning two consecutive matches against Mallorca and Osasuna. This winning streak has moved them four points clear of the relegation zone, and they are only three points away from eighth-placed Athletic Bilbao. This season, Girona finished 16th but had an impressive 2023-24 campaign that secured them a place in the Champions League.
Team News and Lineups
Espanyol welcomes back Pol Lozano, who will contribute after serving his suspension against Levante. Coach Gonzalez is expected to make several changes to the starting lineup, with Roberto Fernandez and Roman Terrats likely to return. Javi Puado is also expected to feature as he continues his recovery from a long-term injury.
In contrast, Girona will be missing several key players due to injuries, including Juan Carlos and Donny van de Beek. Lass Kourouma will also be unavailable following a red card in the Osasuna match. Coach Michel may retain the same lineup that faced Osasuna, with Thomas Lemar expected to play an important role in midfield.
| Team | Possible Starting Lineup |
|---|---|
| Espanyol | Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Calero, Cabrera, Romero; Terrats, Exposito, Lozano, Dolan; Fernandez, Milla |
| Girona | Gazzaniga; Rincon, Reis, Blind, Moreno; Tsygankov, Martinez, Lemar, Martin, Gil; Vanat |
Prediction
As the match approaches, expectations are high. Espanyol’s strong home record could play a pivotal role against a determined Girona side. The prediction leans towards a 2-1 victory for Espanyol, highlighting their edge at home while acknowledging Girona’s competitive spirit.
