Soccer Spain LaLiga Prediction

Barcelona vs Girona - Match Preview

⚽ 10 April 2023 - 19:00 GMT +0

Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández lamented “It will be hard to sleep” after a 4-0 thrashing from arch-rivals Real Madrid dumped the La Liga (LL) leaders out of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, but playing last on this matchday will at least give Xavi enough time to catch up on his rest! The league remains Barça’s only remaining competition and despite a huge 12-point lead before this weekend, Xavi said there were “11 finals left.”

The first of those finals will be a Catalan derby against mid-table Girona, who were narrowly beaten 1-0 in the reverse fixture in January and went home with a point when they last competitively visited this venue (D 2-2). A repeat result or the same number of goals would be a surprise even against a distraught Barça, who have conceded only two goals at home this entire league campaign (W11, D2).

Neighbours Girona have been grabbing almost as much attention as their esteemed neighbours with their attractive play this season. Their average of 3.11 goals per game is the best in LL, while only the top-three clubs have scored more than their 42 goals this campaign. Being only seven points above the bottom three coming into this match, the threat of relegation isn’t yet averted but Míchel’s side is nevertheless entertaining neutral observers.

Goals remain a consistent theme even on the road, with Girona’s last three away matches (W1, D1, L1) producing 14 goals in total. With two of those games witnessing one side going 2-0 up within the first 20 minutes, a quick start could be on the cards.

📋 Key battle: With goals on the agenda, the focus could be on Barcelona's keeper Marc-André ter Stegen, who has let in three goals in his last two home H2Hs. The last two of those were scored by Cristhian Stuani, who also scored Girona’s winner against Espanyol last time out.

⚡ Hot stat: Much-maligned referee Mateu Lahoz is back at Camp Nou after handing out 12 yellow and two red cards when he last officiated at this venue, also in a Catalan derby (vs Espanyol)!