Girona FC vs Barcelona FC, Prediction, Odds and Betting Tips 04/05/2024

Odds via Tonybet

Girona FC vs Barcelona FC. Shape of the Teams.

The Catalan Derby in La Liga has never been more exciting. Although this encounter is not new in Spain, it is the first one in a long time in which Girona is close to catching up to its neighbour. 

Historically viewed as a perennial underdog, Girona has transformed from an unfinished project into a formidable contender in La Liga, thanks largely to the CFG takeover. 

In previous seasons Girona already garnered multiple headlines despite not making it to the European places. Now there is still a month left in the current season and they have already secured a spot in European competition for the next campaign. The Catalan Derby could even make the difference between second and third place in the Spanish league. 

While Girona is having a historic and glorious season, Barcelona’s season is also historic, but far from glorious. Despite their usual dominance over other Spanish teams, Barcelona faces a trophyless season. 

The title in La Liga has slipped away to Real Madrid, while Paris Saint-Germain kicked the Catalans out of the UEFA Champions League. Despite a deep run in the UCL, the team has been way too inconsistent, and Xavi too volatile. Barcelona might have flushed Valencia out with a 4-2, but fans and critics remain underwhelmed by the team’s performance.

Another defeat could seriously jeopardize Xavi’s position. He confirmed a few weeks ago that he will stay in his role for the next season, less than five months after announcing his departure.

For Girona, confirming a second place in La Liga, playing the Champions League, and dunking on its rival would not only cap a historic season but also fulfill what could only be described as a dream scenario.

Girona FC vs Barcelona FC Match Info

• Date and Kickoff Time: Saturday, May 4, 12:30 PM EDT
• Stadium: Estadio Municipil de Montevili
• Location: Girona, Spain
• Last match: FC Barcelona vs Girona FC: 2-4 (December 10, 2023, La Liga)

Girona FC vs Barcelona FC, Odds

• Pick: Draw
• Odds: +285 (Tonybet)

The previous encounter had six goals and saw Girona denying Barcelona a comeback even when playing away from home. Given the high entertainment value of that match, we can expect a similar display at the Montevili this Saturday.

On the tactics board, the two teams do not defend well. With all due respect, Eric García and Daley Blind are not the fastest defenders, which isn’t ideal for handling quick counter-attacks. 

Girona has shown a stronger mental edge in matches like these, potentially giving them the upper hand in a game that’s expected to be quite open and unpredictable. 

Among the threats for Barca is Dobvyk, who is unexpectedly in contention for the Pichichi trophy, awarded to the most-scoring player in Spain. Not many thought a signing from Ukraine for less than 10M would outscore the majority of the league.

For Barcelona, the focus is on damage control and consolidating their play to avoid further embarrassment. They would thrive in a more compact setting by sustaining pressure. On the other hand, Girona prefers to play on momentum, when they can hit their opponent when they least expect it.

For Girona, the greatest challenge will be to keep the Yamal-Raphinha duo under control, who have been making waves both at home and abroad. Yamal, in his debut season and still a teenager, has dazzled with his dribbling skills, causing significant concerns for defenders across Spain. On the opposite wing, we will see Raphinha, who has also been difficult to defend and seemingly can’t be stopped from reaching the goal.

Barcelona must be wary of Girona’s strengths on the wings because Savio has been running riots all season. Considering that Tsygankov keeps providing crosses that are tough to defend, Xavi’s team will have more than enough to worry about against Girona’s offensive patterns, especially when taking into account the presence of Yangel Herrera and Aleix Garcia. Together, they form one of the best-balanced duos in global soccer when it comes to the midfield.

Girona FC vs Barcelona FC Betting Tip

• Pick: Dovbyk to score
• Odds: +127 (Tonybet)

In soccer, life is simple. Ninety minutes pass, 22 players fight for the ball, and at the end of the match, Artem Dovbyk scores. 

Dovbyk has already scored nineteen goals, which is much more than the average newcomer’s performance. In many ways, his performance perfectly describes Girona. 

A team with unexpected performances, that has adapted well, and keeps making headlines. Although Girona had somewhat of a dropdown in recent months, a derby like this always keeps everyone more motivated.

 Taking into account the critics of Araújo and his disagreement with Gündogan in the media, Dovbyk is likely to take advantage of the general brouhaha to make it count in front of the goal.

Disclaimer: Odds are accurate at the time of posting and subject to change. Please verify the latest odds on our platform before betting.