Prediction: Almeria vs Girona

Verdict: Girona win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to find a route back to the top of the La Liga table this weekend, Girona will travel to a struggling Almeria on Sunday afternoon.

Ameria

Starting with the hosts, while Almeria might have eventually clung to their La Liga status last season, La Union find themselves at the heart of another top-flight crisis. Last seen opening the New Year with another downbeat display as they slumped to a 1-0 loss away at Osasuna, Gaizka Garitano’s side sit rock-bottom of the table and already 11 points adrift of safety. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny this season, Almeria have remarkably failed to muster a single win from any of their 19 La Liga appearances this season. Likewise, crashing out of the Copa del Rey on December 6th following an infamous 1-0 defeat at the hands of fourth-tier outfit Barbastro, Sunday’s hosts will certainly be bracing themselves for another monumental challenge here. Hit with an action-packed 5-2 defeat when they travelled to the Estadio Montilivi for their reverse La Liga meeting against Girona back on October 22nd, Almeria are rightfully tipped as an underdog contender this weekend.

Team News

Not making a single appearance since the start of October after dealing with a broken collarbone, Almeria will once again be without the services of Luis Suarez here. Likewise, featuring for Ghana at this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, Iddrisu Baba Mohammed will not play any part on Sunday afternoon.

However, Almeria are hopeful that former Levante midfielder Gonzalo Melero will be able to make a return this weekend. Notching four La Liga strikes this season, 31-year-old Leo Baptistao will spearhead Garitano’s charge.

Girona

As for the visitors, enjoying what has been an iconic La Liga fairytale this season, Girona have firmly cemented their spot as Europe’s ultimate surprise package. Opening up this weekend’s fixtures with just their goal difference keeping them off top spot, Michel Sanchez’s record-breaking squad will be relishing a trip to Almeria on Sunday afternoon. Opening the New Year with another stunning performance as they secured a 4-3 victory against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, the Catalonia-based outfit are waving a famous wave of momentum. Sat firmly in the driving seat to punch a Champions League ticket in 2024, Girona have collected 48 points from their 19 La Liga appearances this season. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third, Sanchez’s side will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity here. Landing that action-packed 5-2 win when they welcomed Almeria to town back on October 22nd, the Blanquivermells will be calling on a repeat performance.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Girona will once again be without the likes of Joel Roca, Viktor Tsygankov, Toni Villa, David Lopez and former Granada ace Yangel Herrera here. While ex-Tottenham goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga might have been handed a Copa del ey rest last week, the 32-year-old will return between the sticks.

Notching 11 La Liga strikes this season, Ukraine international Artem Dovbyk will have a leading role to play on Sunday afternoon. Attracting plenty of Premier League interest this month, 19-year-old sensation Savio will once again partner Dovbyk in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

When Almeria and Girona met for their reverse La Liga showdown on October 22nd, the Blanquivermells picked up a 5-2 victory on home soil. Likewise, Girona have won back-to-back meetings against Almeria by an aggregate score of 11-4. Sunday’s guests have collected 48 points from their first 19 La Liga appearances this season. Almeria have remarkably failed to muster a single victory from any of their 19 top-flight appearances this season. Girona have suffered just a single defeat away from the Estadio Montilivi over the past nine months.

Conclusion

Enjoying what has been an iconic La Liga romp this season, Girona will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity on Sunday afternoon. Looking to climb back to the top of the La Liga table, the Blanquivermells really are firing on all cylinders and should be relishing a trip to Andalusia this weekend. Landing an action-packed 5-2 win when they welcomed Almeria to the Estadio Montilivi for their reverse top-flight meeting back in October, we are expecting a similar outcome here.

Verdict: Girona win

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Olympusbet