Preview: Girona vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

However, the visitors have made an impressive start to the season both domestically and in Europe, and a win could see them end the weekend in fifth.

Match preview

Girona were promoted from the second division last season and have made a strong start to the campaign with seven points from their opening six games.

The Catalonian outfit were beaten 2-1 by Real Betis in their last outing, but were perhaps unfortunate to lose after putting in a solid showing against a side who are sitting in the Champions League places.

Arnau Martinez's opener was cancelled out by a Borja Iglesias brace, but manager Michel can at least be encouraged by his team's performance.

Girona's most recent league victory came in a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid three weeks ago, when goals from Reinier Jesus and Oriol Romeu were enough to take all three points.

Michel's team have adapted to life in La Liga impressively, but against a side with the quality of players that Real Sociedad have at their disposal, this could feel like a free hit for Girona.

Real Sociedad have started the season with 10 points from six games, sitting just three points off the Champions League places.

For a team that finished sixth last season it is crucial that Imanol Alguacil's side do not drop too many points too early if they want to qualify for European competition again.

Last time out Real Sociedad beat Espanyol 2-1, with goals from Alexander Sorloth and Brais Mendez either side of an Edu Exposito equaliser securing the points.

It has been an impressive start to the season when you factor in Sociedad's European commitments, where victories over Manchester United and Omonia see them top their Europa League group with maximum points.

Imanol Alguacil's side also picked up an impressive away draw against Atletico Madrid at the start of September, but scoring goals has been a problem for Sociedad.

Aside from Mallorca, Sociedad are the only team in the top half who have a negative goal difference, with their attack yet to really find form.

With a number of creative players at their disposal it should not be too long before Alguacil's side start to hit the back of the net more regularly.

Girona La Liga form:

L

W

L

D

W

L

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

W

L

W

D

L

W

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

W

D

W

L

W

W

Team News

Girona have a handful of concerns heading into Saturday's game. Four midfielders are expected to miss out here, with Borja Garcia, Ibrahima Kebe and Ivan Martin being long-term absentees for the Blanquivermells.

No return date has also been set for Yangel Herrera, who misses out with a muscle injury sustained at the back end of August.

Cristhian Stuani is hoping to return soon following a heart scare, but Saturday will come too soon for the striker to return. The Uruguayan has been out since last month when the forward was diagnosed with a benign cardiac arrhythmia.

Sociedad also go into the game with a number of key players missing, including talismanic forward Mikel Oyarzabal, who is still sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury he picked up last season.

Alongside Oyarzabal, Robin Le Normand, Carlos Fernandez, Umar Sadiq and Martin Merquelanz are all expected to miss out here through injury.

Ander Barrenetxea is also doubtful for this game after picking up a muscle injury earlier this month, although it is not expected to be a long-term problem.

Girona possible starting lineup:

Carlos; Bueno, Bernardo, Juanpe; Martinez, Romeu, Garcia, Gutierrez; Reinier, Riquelme; Castellanos

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Gorosabel, Elustondo, Pacheco, Munoz; Zubimendi; Mendez, Merino, Silva; Kubo, Sorloth

We say: Girona 0-1 Real Sociedad

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