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

The hosts, who occupy ninth position, are also in the hunt for European football with one point separating them from seventh place.

Match preview

After winning promotion to La Liga last season, Girona have gone on to enjoy a successful campaign, picking up 49 points from their 36 matches.

Although they can be pleased with their efforts in their first top-flight campaign since 2018-19, Girona are dreaming of qualifying for European competition for the first time in their history.

Girona's European pursuit has started to lose momentum in recent games, with their last three matches yielding two draws and a defeat.

Christian Stuani dispatched his second-half spot-kick to hold Celta Vigo to a 1-1 draw at Balaidos in midweek, and Girona will now return home to the Estadi Montilivi where they have collected 33 of their 49 points this term.

Having won all nine home league games where they have scored first this season, Girona will be desperate to score the opening goal on Sunday.

Betis missed the opportunity to qualify for the Europa League when they lost 1-0 at home to relegation-threatened Getafe in midweek.

Despite suffering a disappointing defeat, Los Verdiblancos are still on course to secure a top-six finish for a third successive season, with just a point needed to guarantee Europa League qualification.

Manuel Pellegrini will still want his side to go for the win, but having won just one of their last six away matches, claiming all three points may prove tricky for the visitors.

Although their recent away form may not offer too much encouragement, their head-to-head record certainly offers cause for optimism, with Betis avoiding defeat in each of all five of their La Liga meetings with Girona.

Their last two trips to the Estadi Municipal de Montilivi have produced 1-0 victories, and after keeping clean sheets in their previous two away games against Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla, the visitors will be hopeful of recording another shutout.

Girona La Liga form:

W

W

W

D

L

D

Real Betis La Liga form:

D

L

W

W

D

L

Team News

The hosts will have to cope without the services of Aleix Garcia, Borja Garcia, Rodrigo Riquelme and Toni Villa due to injury issues.

After being forced off in the second half of Tuesday's draw with Celta, Santiago Bueno is expected to miss Sunday's encounter, which could result in Juanpe being recalled to the starting lineup.

Ivan Martin was also withdrawn from the midweek contest due to an injury issue, and the 24-year-old is a doubt for the home clash with Betis.

As for Betis, Victor Ruiz and Nabil Fekir are expected to miss out through injury, while German Pezzalla is suspended after being sent off in midweek.

After missing the defeat to Getafe through suspension, Juan Miranda could return to the Betis's backline for Sunday's encounter.

William Carvalho was unavailable for Wednesday's encounter, but he participated in training on Friday and is expected to be fit for the clash with Girona.

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; Martinez, Juanpe, Bernardo, Gutierrez; Couto, Romeu, Herrera, Valery; Tsygankov; Castellanos

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Bravo; Sabaly, Felipe, Gonzelez, Miranda; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Henrique, Canales, Perez; Iglesias

We say: Girona 1-1 Real Betis

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