Girona vs Real Betis

Estadio Municipal de Montilivi is the venue as Girona take on Real Betis in a ‘make or break’ La Liga contest.

Slow out of the blocks, Michel’s men have only netted one first-half goal before halftime across their last nine league outings. Therefore, it’s barely surprising that they went winless on each occasion (D3, L6), resulting in the Catalan side dropping to 16th in the table, only three points clear of 18th-placed Deportivo Alaves. Another failed attempt to grab three points would see Girona equal their club record for the longest winless run in top-flight history. Betis’ upcoming doesn’t bode well, with Girona winning just one of their last nine La Liga meetings (D3, L5), though it was in this corresponding fixture in 2023/24. That’s hardly inspirational for boss Michel, who could oversee four consecutive La Liga defeats for the first time since taking charge.

In the meantime, Betis should travel in high spirits after a 1-1 draw away to Jagiellonia in midweek Conference League action saw them progress into the semi-finals as 3-1 aggregate winners. However, their pursuit of Champions League qualification via a league finish isn’t going to plan, with fifth-placed Villarreal four points ahead before the kick-off. Wins from three of their last four away La Liga matches against Girona (L1) can inspire confidence around Manuel Pellegrini’s camp. Yet Los Verdiblancos have only won once across their six away league outings against sides starting this matchday 13th or lower (D2, L3).