Top-Two Battle Takes Centre Stage in La Liga This Weekend
Real Madrid vs Girona FC - 10/02/2024
Marta Fernandez Jimenez / Shutterstock.com
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Table-topping Real Madrid lead second-placed Girona by just two points ahead of Saturday’s pivotal showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Both sides have suffered a solitary defeat in 23 matches this season, although Los Blancos have picked up one victory more than Michel Sanchez’s side.
Will Carlo Ancelotti’s men flex their muscles on home soil? Or could Girona upset the odds once again? Read on to discover what Forebet’s predictive analytics model expects.
Real Madrid recorded a 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Atletico Madrid last weekend, with Marcos Llorente equalising for the visitors in the 93rd minute.
That draw ended a run of six consecutive La Liga victories for Los Blancos, who have now won nine of their last 11 league encounters.
In terms of the bigger picture, Ancelotti’s side have avoided defeat in each of their previous 17 La Liga matches, securing 13 wins and four draws along the way.
Better still, Real Madrid are enjoying a 26-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, with a solitary defeat coming in their previous 36 encounters.
On the flip side, Girona were held to a goalless draw by Real Sociedad last time out, despite racking up 11 shots on home soil.
The Catalans have now avoided defeat in each of their previous 15 La Liga matches, registering 11 wins and four draws to keep pace with Real Madrid in the title race.
There is no denying that Girona have been La Liga’s surprise package this season, as they only gained promotion in 2021-22 before finishing 10th last term.
Having avoided defeat in all 11 of their away league outings this term – winning eight of the past 10 – Girona could achieve something very special in the coming months.
Head-to-head: Girona’s only league defeat this season came against Real Madrid in September, as Los Blancos won the reverse fixture 3-0 in Catalonia.
It is worth remembering, however, that Girona have lost just one of their last four La Liga meetings with Real Madrid, winning in 2019 and 2023.
Team news: Real Madrid are currently without the injured quartet of David Alaba, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger.
Girona also have multiple injury absentees, with Artem Dovbyk, Antonino Jastin, Martin Juan Carlos, Joel Roca and Toni Villa all on the sidelines.
It is no secret that Real Madrid’s squad is stacked with world-class players, but Girona have consistently punched above their weight this season.
Forebet’s algorithm predicts that Girona will hold Real Madrid to a draw on Saturday, with both teams scoring over 1.5 goals in an eventful affair.
Home team
Away team
Pred
Correct score
Avg. goals
Weather conditions
Coef.
Score
Live
coef.
Es1
313534
X
2 - 2
3.28
8° 4.20
1.50
4.20
6.50
no
no
no
4 - 0(2 - 0)