The biggest game in La Liga in terms of league standing takes place at the Montilivi stadium. Girona host Barcelona at the weekend with neither side looking likely to finish any higher than a top-four place.
Location: Montilivi
Date: 04/05/2024
Kick-Off: 5:30 PM
A win for either side in this game would mathematically secure a Champions League place for next season, although in Barcelona’s case, they have a game in hand against Valencia to contend with before this game. Both Girona and Barcelona at some points were almost contending with Real Madrid at the top of the league, however, Los Blancos were eventually the runaway league leaders in La Liga this season.
The home side Girona has enjoyed a brilliant campaign thus far, following their finish to last season’s campaign. Girona finished tenth last season and is now on course to record their highest-ever finish to a league campaign. The home side are on the verge of history and could potentially secure a Champions League place next season.
Girona are currently second in the league after 33 games played, with a 13-point gap over fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao. A win would secure their route into the European elite for the first time in their history. A defeat against Barcelona, accompanied by a Bilbao win would only delay their celebration by a couple of weeks. Girona can still mathematically win the league title, although it’s virtually impossible with the point gap between them and Real Madrid.
Girona’s points tally is rather impressive for a team that has finished in the top ten of Spanish football once. Under highly-rated coach Michel, the home side have accumulated 71 points from 33 games. Girona has averaged 2.15 points per game this season. In the attacking areas, they have scored 69 goals in 33 games, averaging 2.09 goals per game. Defensively, they have been below average conceding 37 in 33 games.
Girona’s overall record this season stands at 22 wins, six draws and five losses.
As for last season’s champions, F.C Barcelona look certain to lose their league title to Real Madrid, especially following the 3-2 defeat in the El Clasico. The visitors will also secure a Champions League place if they avoid defeat to Girona at the weekend.
Barcelona play Valencia on the Monday before this game and if they were to win, Les Cules would be two points clear of their opponents and 15 points clear of Athletic Bilbao. As with Girona, Barcelona can still mathematically win the league title, although again it’s considered impossible at this stage of the season.
The huge news from Barcelona this week is that their manager Xavi has decided to impose a U-turn on his decision to leave the club. The Spaniard had agreed to leave the club in the summer, but his future now lies at his boyhood club. Xavi won the league title as a manager with Barcelona last season.
The most recent league meeting between the two teams resulted in an impressive 4-2 win for Girona over their opponents. Artem Dovbyk opened the scoring for Girona in the 12th minute before Robert Lewandowski equalised seven minutes later. Girona then raced into a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from Miguel Gutierrez and Valery Fernandez. Ilkay Gundogan gave Barcelona hopes of a comeback in the 92nd minute before former Middlesbrough striker Cristhian Stuani secured all three points in the 95th minute for Girona.
Primera División 
