Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 19/4
Bookmaker: Zetbet
Girona and Rayo Vallecano will lock horns with each other in La Liga this week. The match between Michel’s side and Inigo Perez’s team will be held at Estadi Montilivi and is scheduled to kick off at 6pm UK time on Friday.
Girona
Girona are a modest club in Spain, but they have done well in recent seasons. Blanquivermells featured in the UEFA Champions League last season, and although they did not have a positive experience in Europe’s premier club competition, they will have fond memories of rubbing shoulders with the big boys.
Michel’s side, though, endured a very disappointing La Liga campaign last season. Girona finished as low as 16th in the league table and picked up just 41 points from 38 matches. Gironistes ended the campaign just a point above the bottom three.
Girona will be aiming to do much better this time around and will look to at least finish in the top half of the La Liga table. The Spanish club have made three major signings so far this summer, bringing in right-back Hugo Rincon, centre-back Vitor Reis and attacking midfielder Thomas Lemar.
Team News:
Girona are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Rayo Vallecano. Paulo Gazzaniga will be in goal for the home team and will have Arnau Martinez, Ladislav Krejci, Antal Yaakobishvili and Daley Blind in front of him in defence. Jhon Solis and Yangel Herrera will be the two holding midfielders. Viktor Tsigankov, Joel Roca and Yaser Asprilla will be the three attacking midfielders. Stuani will lead the line for Girona.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano are a modest club in Spain who are happy to be part of La Liga and aim for the top half of the table. They have spent only 22 seasons in the Spanish top flight and have played in Europe just once – and that was in the UEFA Cup in the 2000-01 UEFA Cup.
Los Franjirrojos, though, did extremely well last season. Rayo finished eighth in the La Liga table with 52 points from 38 matches and booked their place in the Europa Conference League play-off round. If they are able to negotiate this round, then it will be deemed a massive success for them.
Rayo have been active in the summer transfer window and have made three major signings. Goalkeeper Augusto Batallla, centre-back Luiz Felipe and defensive midfielder Gerard Gumbau are the new players in Inigo Perez’s squad.
Team News:
Rayo Vallecano are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation against Girona. Augusto Batalia will be in goal for the visiting team. Ivan Balliu, Florian Lejeune, Luiz Felipe and Pep Chavarria will be the four defenders. Pedro Diaz, Unai Lopez and Oscar Valentin will be the three midfielders. Jorge de Frutos, Randy Nteka and Oscar Trejo will be the three forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- Girona picked up 41 points from 38 matches in La Liga last season.
- Girona scored 44 goals in 38 matches in La Liga last season.
- Girona conceded 60 goals in 38 matches in La Liga last season.
- Rayo Vallecano won 13 of their 38 La Liga games in the 2024-25 campaign.
- Rayo Vallecano scored 41 goals and conceded 45 goals in 38 La Liga games in the 2024-25 campaign.
Conclusion
Girona endured a hugely disappointing campaign last season and will be determined to do better. Meanwhile, Rayo Vallecano will be aiming to kick on after ending up in the top half of the standings. It is very likely that the match will end in a draw.
Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw
Best Odds: 19/4
Bookmaker: Zetbet