Girona take on the visitors Valladolid in the round 18 match of Spanish LaLiga. The match will be played on Friday, December 20th at Estadio Municipal de Montilivi (Girona).
Girona struggle to maintain last season’s heights. Last year, Girona found themselves at the top of the La Liga table, an unexpected and historic achievement. Although they eventually ceded the top spots to Real Madrid and Barcelona, finishing 3rd was still a remarkable feat. However, Girona’s stature remains that of a mid-tier club, playing their fifth season in La Liga and only their third since returning from the Segunda. This summer’s departures of key players have significantly weakened the squad, and replacements haven’t stepped up as hoped. Their Champions League debut ended in disappointment—though they defeated Slovan Bratislava, it was a rare bright spot among numerous losses to stronger opponents. They also suffered a shocking Copa del Rey exit to UD Logroñés, a modest side that, despite finishing the game with ten men and an outfield player in goal, managed to triumph in a penalty shootout. In La Liga, Girona has delivered mid-table results, with a nearly even split between wins and losses and a neutral goal difference. Recent performances have been especially poor, including a loss to Mallorca in their last league outing.
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Real Valladolid continues to be a classic “yo-yo” club. After relegation to the Segunda in 2023, they bounced back immediately under Paulo Pezzolano’s management. However, life in La Liga has proven difficult once again. Struggling near the bottom of the table, Pezzolano was sacked in late autumn following a humiliating defeat to Atlético Madrid that left the club in last place. Interim success came only in the Copa del Rey, with an extra-time victory over modest Real Ávila. League form has remained dismal, highlighted by losses to Las Palmas. Still, Valladolid showed fight in a crucial match against Valencia, pulling off a much-needed win.
In the 2021-2022 season, Girona had two wins and a draw in their meetings with Valladolid. However, before their relegation last year, Valladolid managed a narrow home victory over Girona. Confidence in Míchel Sánchez’s ability to revive Girona before the holidays remains, but the team’s current form is uninspiring. Valladolid, despite their struggles, may have enough fight to keep the game close. A bet on the visitors with a "+1.5 goal" handicap seems like the safest option.
Prediction for the match: Valladolid to win with +1.5 handicap.
