Girona vs Barcelona: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction
Barcelona head to Estadi Montilivi on Monday evening to face off against Girona in the concluding fixture of matchday 24.
The away side will be aiming to reclaim top spot in La Liga with a win, while their hosts are seeking to pull further clear of relegation.
Match preview
Having won six straight matches across all competitions before their trip to Wanda Metropolitano, Barcelona were sent crashing back down to earth courtesy of a 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid.
A disastrous Eric Garcia own goal seven minutes in opened the floodgates, after which Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez netted in the opening 45 minutes to sink Hansi Flick’s men.
On the bright side, Barcelona still have 90 minutes to pull off what is a highly improbable comeback in next month’s second leg, but they have three league clashes to navigate before then.
Real Madrid’s 4-2 victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday means Barcelona head into Monday’s clash against Girona in second place, further heightening the need for maximum points.
With victories in each of the last three meetings, Flick’s men have done a number on their Catalan rivals since the German’s appointment and will be confident of emerging victorious once again.
After winning three straight matches at the start of 2026, Girona looked to have put a torrid festive period behind them, but that has not proven to be the case.
Michel’s men have managed just two points from the last nine available following a 1-1 draw against Sevilla last time out, where Thomas Lemar’s early opener was wiped out by Kike Salas in stoppage time.
Currently just three points clear of the drop zone, Los Tossuts are embroiled in a relegation scrap for a second season running since finishing third in the 2023-24 campaign.
Averaging less than a goal per game in La Liga this term, Monday’s hosts will need to up the ante at the top end of the pitch to stand any chance of securing a positive result against the league’s highest scoring team.
Match preview
On loan from Barcelona, Girona keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is ineligible to play any part, although that is academic as he is currently out with a hamstring problem.
Juan Carlos and Portu are ruled out due to knee injuries, while Donny van de Beek is still nursing an Achilles tendon issue.
Alex Moreno (muscle), Azzedine Ounahi (calf) and Ricard Artero (ankle) round off the hosts’ absentees.
Gavi, Andreas Christensen and Marcus Rashford are nursing knee problems and will not play any part for Barcelona, who are also missing Pedri (muscle).
However, the league leaders will be able to call upon Raphinha once again following his recovery from a thigh issue.
Girona Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Gazzaniga; Martinez, Blind, Reis, Rincon; Martin, Witsel; Gil, Lemar, Tsygankov; Vanat
Barcelona Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): J Garcia; Balde, Cubarsi, E Garcia, Kounde; Casado, De Jong; Olmo, Fermin, Yamal; Lewandowski
Prediction: Girona 1-3 Barcelona