Prediction: Girona vs Villarreal

Verdict: Girona win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

In what could prove to be an action-packed affair from the Estadio Montilivi on Tuesday night, Girona will welcome Villarreal to Catalonia.

Girona

Starting with the hosts, only continuing on what has been an astonishing La Liga fairytale this season, Michel Sanchez’s men have already cemented their spot as one of Europe’s ultimate surprise packages. Already cruising their way to a famous Champions League ticket and with the mood around Catalonia at a red-hot high, the former Huesca boss will be calling on his squad to make another statement here. Although Girona might have been last seen over the weekend eventually settling for a thrilling 2-2 stalemate away at Alaves, the Spanish high-flyers have collected 10 points from their previous four La Liga appearances. Opening May with an iconic 4-2 victory against local rivals Barcelona, Sanchez’s side have also continued to gain a fearsome reputation for their success on home soil. In fact, Tuesday’s hosts have won all of their previous five La Liga showdowns at the Estadio Montilivi by an aggregate score of 16-5.

Team News

All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, the trio of Ricard Artero, Joel Roca and veteran midfielder Borja Garcia will not feature over the remainder of the season. Likewise, missing all of Girona’s last four appearances, one-time Middlesbrough striker Cristhian Stuani remains on the sidelines.

Leading the chase to claim Spain’s Golden Boot and notching 20 La Liga strikes this season, the red-hot Artem Dovbyk will spearhead Sanchez’s charge on Tuesday night. Former Manchester United defender Daley Blind will once again partner ex-Barcelona starlet Eric Garcia at the back.

Villarreal

As for the visitors, making an immediate return to winning ways over the weekend as they secured an action-packed 3-2 victory against Sevilla, Villarreal face what is another crucial showdown here. Despite watching their Europa League adventure come to an end back in March as they fell to an action-packed 5-3 aggregate defeat against French outfit Marseille, Marcelino’s men will take plenty of solace from their recent domestic success. Signing off April with a routine 3-0 romp against Rayo Vallecano, Tuesday’s guests have won three of their previous four La Liga appearances. However, facing what will certainly be a real challenge when they travel to the newly-crowned Champions League outfit here, Villarreal will be concerned by their most recent showdown against Girona. Suffering a 2-1 loss when they welcomed the midweek hosts to town for their reverse meeting on September 27th, Marcelino’s side are tipped as an underdog contender in Catalonia.

Team News

Dealing with what has quickly become a stacked injury list, Villarreal will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Juan Foyth, Denis Suarez and attacking starlet Yeremy Pino on Tuesday night. Shown a straight red card against Celta Vigo earlier in the month, the 27-year-old Santi Comesana still remains on the sidelines through suspension.

Bagging a brace against Sevilla last week and notching 19 La Liga strikes this season, one-time Crystal Palace misfit Alexander Sorloth will spearhead Marcelino’s charge here. Ex-Manchester United defender Eric Bailly will once again partner Yerson Mosquera at the back.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Girona and Villarreal met for their reverse La Liga meeting on September 27th, Tuesday’s hosts picked up a 2-1 victory at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
• Girona have collected 10 points from their previous four La Liga appearances.
• Sanchez’s men have won all of their previous five showdowns in Catalonia by an aggregate score of 16-5.
• Including a 3-2 victory against Sevilla over the weekend, Villarreal have won three of their last four La Liga showdowns.
• The Yellow Submarine have seen five of their previous six La Liga appearances finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

Two camps who are enjoying their own respective domestic flurries, neutrals could be treated to a lively affair from Catalonia on Tuesday night. Although Girona might have won all of their previous five showdowns in front of their own supporters by an aggregate score of 16-5, Villarreal have turned a recent corner and will prove to be a stern challenge here. However, with the newly-crowned Champions League outfit landing a 2-1 win when they travelled to the Estadio de la Ceramica on September 27th, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Girona win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Luckster