Preview: Girona vs Athletic Bilbao – prediction, team news, lineups

We are looking to end the six-game winning streak in all competitions, Girona will continue their 2024-25 La Liga season with a home game against Sporty Bilbao on Sunday afternoon.

After an excellent 2023/24 season, the Catalan team has had a tough time this season and is currently in 12th place the tablewhile Athletic are fifth with 14 points from their first eight games.

Game preview

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Girona enjoyed a remarkable 2023/24 season, finishing third in Spain’s top flight, and it was always going to be difficult for them to repeat that this season, especially with the added emotion of Champions League football.

The Whites and Reds have lost both Champions League games against Paris Saint-Germain and Feyenoord this season, while they have gone winless in their last four games in Spain’s top flight, losing to Barcelona and Girona before losing to Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo drew played in quick succession.

MichelThe Azerbaijan team is currently 12th in the table and has a record of two wins, three draws and three defeats in the eight games that earned them nine points, putting them seven points behind the top four.

Girona have picked up four points from their three home games this season and a win on Sunday would certainly make everyone associated with the club feel much better ahead of the international break.

The Catalan team only got one point in their two league games against Athletic in the 2023/24 season, with a 1-1 draw in the corresponding game.

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Athletic also have European commitments this season, with the Lions competing in the Europa League, and they will go into the game on the back of a 2-0 win over AZ, which gave them four points from their first two games and leaves them in 11th place. Place takes place in the table.

Ernesto ValverdeThe Barcelona side are unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions, including the last four in La Liga. They beat Las Palmas, Leganes and Celta Vigo before drawing 1-1 with Sevilla in their last game.

The Basque team has a record of four wins, two draws and two defeats in eight league games this season, which puts them fifth in the table with 14 points.

Athletic are just two points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid and expect to be in contention for a place in the Champions League this season. However, it remains to be seen how they will balance domestic and European action if they advance deep into the Europa League.

The Lions defeated Girona 3-2 when the two sides last met in February 2024, while they have recently recorded an away league win against Sunday’s opponents, a 2-1 win in March 2019.

Girona La Liga form:

Girona form (all competitions):

Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

Team news

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Girona will be without five players due to injury Viktor Tsygankov, Daley Blind, Oriol Romeu, Jastin Garcia And Ricard Artero not available for selection.

Head coach Michel will make changes to the team that took the field at kick-off against Feyenoord Arnaut Danjuma, Portu And Christian Stuani may be introduced in the final third.

Donny van de Beek was on the scoresheet against Feyenoord and should keep his place on Sunday while Blind’s absence allows that David Lopez to continue in the middle of the defense.

As for Athletic, Benat Prados, Yeray Alvarez And Unai Simon are out of the game due to injury Julen Agirrezabala will miss the game due to the red card he received in the game against Sevilla.

Goalkeeper number three is therefore scheduled to start between the posts Alex Padillawhile Oscar de Marcos And Alex Berenguer Recalls are pending after the Europa League game against AZ.

Nico Williams put his brother up Inaki Williams to score in the European Cup and the pair will be in the starting line-up again for the exciting La Liga clash on Sunday afternoon.

Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Frances, D. Lopez, Krejci, Gutierrez; Martin, Van de Beek, Herrera; Portu, Stuani, Danjuma

Possible Athletic Bilbao starting lineup:
Padilla; De Marcos, U Lopez, Paredes, Lekue; Jauregizar, Vesga; N. Williams, Sancet, Berenguer; I Williams

We say: Girona 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Against the backdrop of European competitions, this is a tough game for both sides. Athletic are certainly in better form, but Girona are a strong team on home soil and we expect the points to be shared on Sunday afternoon, something both managers would probably accept if offered before kick-off.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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