Prediction: Barcelona vs Girona

Verdict: Barcelona win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to make an immediate return to winning ways on Monday night, Barcelona will welcome local rivals Girona to the Nou Camp.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, suffering major Copa del Rey heartbreak at the hands of Real Madrid last week, Barcelona have only continued on a remarkable La Liga flurry this season. Watching Los Blancos suffer another top-flight slip-up over the weekend, Xavi’s side are breezing towards a first domestic crown since 2019. Holding what is a stunning 12-point buffer at the top of the table, the Spanish icons have gained a string of plaudits on either side of the World cup’s winter break. Making real La Liga history this season, Barca have lost just a pair of their 27 top-flight appearances this season. While Monday’s hosts might have come under scrutiny for their public European collapse last year, Xavi’s young squad should be smelling the chance to make another La Liga statement in Catalonia. Claiming a 1-0 victory when they traveled to Girona on January 28th for their reverse meeting, fans around the Nou Camp will be hoping for a repeat display here.

Team News

Still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Barcelona will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Pedri, Andreas Christensen, Frankie de Jong and Ousmane Dembele on Monday night.

Already notching 17 La Liga strikes in his 23 top-flight appearances this season, attacking talisman Robert Lewandowski will spearhead Xavi’s attack here. The ex-Bayern Munich record-breaker should once again be joined in attack by 20-year-old Ansu Fati.

Girona

As for the visitors, marking their return from the international break with a much-needed 2-1 victory at home against Espanyol, Girona almost find themselves sat in La Liga limbo. However, while Michel’s squad might have drawn a line under their three-match winless run last time out, Los Blanquivermells will be more than aware that they face a huge challenge here. With their sights still set on trying to clinch a top-half finish in 2023, the former Huesca boss will be calling on his side to find some stability on the road. In fact, including an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the hands of Getafe on March 4th, it should be noted that Girona have recorded just a single win from any of their previous seven domestic appearances away from the Estadio Montilivi. Tipped as a real underdog pick when they make the trip across Catalonia on Monday night, Michel’s side should be bracing themselves for a heavyweight examination at the Nou Camp.

Team News

Shown a straight red card during their 2-1 victory against Espanyol, Reinier Jesus will miss out on Monday night as they 21-year-old starts his suspension.

Likewise, Girona will also make the trip across Catalonia without the likes of Alexander Callens, Aleix Garcia, Joel Roca and Ibrahima Kebe here. Coming off the bench and bagging his seventh La Liga strike of the season last week, Cristhian Stuani will be hoping for a full recall.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse meeting on January 28th, Barcelona picked up a 1-0 victory at the Estadio Montilivi.
• Barca have won each of their last three meetings against Girona by an aggregate score of 7-2.
• Monday’s hosts have lost just a pair of their 27 La Liga appearances this season.
• Girona have recorded just a single victory from their previous seven domestic away fixtures across all competitions.
• Barcelona have suffered just a single domestic defeat at the Nou Camp so far this season.

Conclusion

While Barcelona might have suffered a real Copa del Rey collapse last week, Xavi’s side will be looking to prove that was nothing more than a minor blip. Opening up Monday’s showdown at the Nou Camp holding a remarkable 12-point buffer at the top of the La Liga table, the runaway leaders will simply be looking to snatch Catalonia bragging rights here. With Girona recording just a single win on their travels since opening 2023, Barca are rightfully tipped as a standout pick on home soil. Claiming a 1-0 win when they made the trip to the Estadio Montilivi back on January 28th, it is hard to see anything other than a similar routine home victory on Monday night.

Verdict: Barcelona win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Unibet