Preview: Girona vs. Atletico Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

While Girona are sitting alongside Real Madrid at the top of the table, Atleti are seven points adrift in third position.

Match preview

Girona have the chance to make 2024 the most memorable year in the club's history, having won 14, drawn three and lost one of their 18 league matches to put themselves firmly in the title race.

The only slight disappointment for the surprise package is that they missed the chance to finish 2023 as the outright leads after giving up a narrow lead to draw 1-1 with Real Betis in their final match before the break.

While Artem Dovbyk may have seen his effort cancelled out by German Pezzella's 88th-minute equaliser, the Ukrainian's strike represented Girona's 42nd league goal of the season - three more than La Liga's second-highest scorers, Real Madrid.

After wrapping up the calendar year with an away draw, Michel's side will return to Montilivi for their first match of 2024, and they will be desperate to continue their fine run of form in front of their own supporters after winning four of their last five home matches (D1).

The hosts will be fully aware of the challenge that awaits them on Wednesday, but they have demonstrated in December's 4-2 away win over Barcelona that they have the mentality and quality to beat the biggest teams in the country.

Atleti saw their hopes of winning a 12th top-flight title were dented by an inconsistent run of form in December, as they finished the year with just two victories in five league games (D1, L2).

They began the month with away defeats to Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao either side of a 2-1 home win over relegation-threatened Almeria.

After being held to a point by Getafe, Atleti managed to at least finish 2023 on a positive note in their home game against Sevilla, as Marcos Llorente came off the bench at half time to score a 46th-minute goal which ultimately proved decisive.

While that victory extended their unbeaten home run to 21 league games (W19, D2), Diego Simeone's side have struggled to replicate that sort of form on their travels, having lost each of their last away fixtures in La Liga.

With Wednesday's visitors desperate to claim their first away league win since October 21, they would certainly take a repeat of their last trip to Montilivi in March when Alvaro Morato netted a stoppage-time winner to clinch a narrow 1-0 victory.

Girona La Liga form:

W

D

W

W

W

D

Girona form (all competitions):

D

W

W

W

W

D

Atletico Madrid La Liga form:

W

L

W

L

D

W

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

D

W

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Team News

Girona defender David Lopez has joined an absentee list that features Toni Villa and Joel Roca after he picked up an injury in the 1-1 draw against Betis.

The visitors also have doubts over the availability of Ricard Artero, Yangel Herrera and Borja Garcia, but they could welcome back Viktor Tysgankov following a two-game injury absence.

If the Ukraine international is past fit, he will line up in a front three alongside his compatriot Artem Dovbyk as well as Troyes loanee, Savio.

As for the visitors, they remain without the injured pair of Pablo Barrios and Thomas Lemar, while Soyuncu will serve a one-match ban after being sent off in the narrow win over Sevilla.

After coming off the bench to score the winner against the Andalusians, Llorente is set to be rewarded with a recall to the Atletico starting lineup.

Mario Hermoso missed the final game of 2023 through suspension, but he is expected to return to the side to feature as one of three centre-backs alongside Cesar Azpilicueta and Jose Maria Gimenez.

There will be no Reinildo Mandava in the squad, with the Mozambique defender away with his national side preparing for the African Cup of Nations.

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; E. Garcia, Juanpe, Blind; Couto, Martin, A. Garcia, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Savio, Dovbyk

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Llorente, Azpilicueta, Gimenez, Hermoso, Lino; Koke, Witsel, De Paul; Griezmann, Morata

We say: Girona 2-1 Atletico Madrid

Atleti have shown inconsistency in their recent league games, and if they are unable to produce their best form against Girona, they could experience a difficult evening.

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