Girona vs Barcelona tips and predictions: Visitors claim revenge and Catalonian bragging rights

Girona’s meeting with Barcelona puts regional bragging rights on the line, but more importantly, it could help decide who finishes second in La Liga.

Before the start of the round, Barca have a two-point lead on their Catalonian neighbours, but the hosts already have beaten the Blaugrana once this season.

This season’s surprise package took an early lead at the Olympic Stadium in the reverse fixture and survived a late flurry of Barca pressure to run out 4-2 winners.

Girona’s only defeat at home this season was a 3-0 setback against league leaders Real Madrid. That aside, they’ve picked up 41 points on home soil, 11 more than on their travels.

Barcelona trailed Valencia 2-1 and looked to be heading towards their third consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Xavi’s side took advantage of a first-half red card for the Bats and came roaring back to win 4-2, with Robert Lewandowski scoring a second-half hat trick.

Girona and Barcelona rank as the second and third-best attacks in the league, with 69 and 68 goals scored respectively, so we’re expecting an exciting game.

On the other hand, both defences have struggled, with eight teams conceding fewer than Girona and Barcelona. Both side's matches have averaged 3.3 goals this season.

With nothing else to play for, this is the biggest game Barca has left this season, so we expect them to extract a measure of revenge and take a giant leap towards finishing second.

 

Key stats

- Girona have won 13, drawn two and lost once at home this season
- There have been over 2.5 goals in 11 of Girona’s 16 home matches
- Barcelona have won six of their last eight away matches in La Liga
- Both teams have scored in 11 of Barcelona’s 16 away matches

 

Suggested bets

Lewandowski to score

Barcelona to win

Over 2.5 goals

• Sergiu Baltuta provides tips as SVB Tips on Tipstrr