Girona faces a crucial matchup against Real Sociedad in the La Liga as they desperately seek to pull themselves out of the relegation zone. Currently positioned 18th in the standings, Girona sits two points behind Mallorca, who are 17th. In contrast, Real Sociedad stands 14th, with a slightly more comfortable four-point buffer over their opponents.
The Basque side’s campaign has been far from remarkable, accumulating just 16 points across 15 matches. With only four league victories this season, they are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 1-0 defeat to local rivals Alaves in their last outing. Despite their overall struggles, Real Sociedad has shown signs of resilience, winning five of their last nine matches in all competitions, losing only twice during that stretch. At home, they have garnered 10 points from seven league matches so far.
When it comes to their encounters against Girona, Real Sociedad has enjoyed significant success, winning their last two matchups, including a 3-2 victory in their last meeting last season. Girona has not triumphed against the Basque side since February 2010 and is currently on a winless streak of ten matches against them, with six ending in draws.
Girona’s season has been marked by challenges, reflected in their record of two wins, six draws, and seven defeats, translating to just 12 points this campaign. Their offensive struggles are evident as they have only managed to score 13 goals, while their defense has been the weakest in the league, conceding a staggering 29 goals. Recent performances have added to their woes, with a 3-0 defeat against Elche being the latest setback. Since their last victory against Alaves on November 8, Girona has struggled to find the back of the net.
In terms of team news, Real Sociedad is grappling with a list of injured players, including Orri Oskarsson, Mikel Oyarzabal, Igor Zubeldia, Yangel Herrera, Inaki Ruperez, Luken Beitia, and Alex Lebarbier. Despite the recent loss to Alaves, head coach Sergio Francisco is expected to keep the lineup relatively unchanged but may make adjustments, particularly in the forward positions, with Ander Barrenetxea potentially replacing Umar Sadiq.
Girona, too, is dealing with a string of injuries, with key players like Donny van de Beek, Cristhian Stuani, Abel Ruiz, and several others sidelined. However, Azzedine Ounahi returns after serving a suspension, and Vladyslav Vanat, who has scored three goals this season, is likely to lead their attack.
As both sides contend with injury setbacks, the matchup is anticipated to be competitive. While Real Sociedad holds the advantage of home turf, the tight nature of their recent encounters suggests that Girona could potentially salvage a point. Predictions are leaning towards a 1-1 draw, taking into account the precarious situations both teams find themselves in.
