Spain Round 19

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Girona vs Atletico Madrid Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Girona:
Gazzaniga; E. Garcia, Juanpe, Blind; Couto, Martin, A. Garcia, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Savio, Dovbyk

Atletico Madrid:
Oblak; Llorente, Azpilicueta, Gimenez, Hermoso, Lino; Koke, Witsel, De Paul; Griezmann, Morata

Girona will try to continue their successful run when they welcome Atletico Madrid to Estadi Municipal de Montilivi on Wednesday night. Nobody, I repeat nobody, was expecting Girona to be so high on the table. Nevertheless, it is deserved. Their overall score is impressive - 14 wins, three draws and just one defeat, from Real Madrid in September. Many football experts are putting parallels between Girona and Leicester City. And I think there are lot of similarities - both teams were outsiders, both teams played fantastic, both teams have strong mentality and both teams were efficient. Girona have scored 42 goals after 18 rounds, while Real 39, Barcelona 34 and Atletico 36. Coach Michel is doing a fantastic job and the fans are pleased with the results this season. However, he has some injury issues as three players are sidelined - David Lopez, Toni Villa and Joel Roca. That's not all as Ricard Artero, Yangel Herrera and Borja Garcia are rated as doubtful. On the positive note, Viktor Tysgankov has recovered after missed out the last two fixtures. He could start in attack together with the best scorer Dovbyk and Troyes loanee Savio.

Atletico Madrid are seven points adrift of Girona and this is very important match. The Rojiblancos will try to secure three points, but the away form is poor. Atletico have lost the previous three matches on road. First they were beaten 2:1 by Las Palmas, then lost 1:0 to Barcelona and ultimately suffered a 2:0 defeat in Bilbao. The atmosphere in the team is far from ideal, while the players confidence isn't at desired level. However, they managed to register a victory in the last match of 2023. Atletico beat Sevilla at Wanda thanks to the lone goal scored by Marcos Llorente. He came off the bench at half time to score a 46th-minute winner. Coach Diegeo Simeone will try to replicate the home form in this match, but it won't be easy. Cholo has some additional issues as several players are unavailable. Pablo Barrios and Thomas Lemar remain out injured, while Caglar Soyuncu is banned after being sent off against Sevilla. Mario Hermoso missed that game through suspension, but he is expected to return to the heart of the defense. Reinildo Mandava is on international duty with the Mozambique squad preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Girona vs Atletico Madrid Prediction:

This is a derby between two genuine title pretenders. Atletico Madrid are big name, but Girona players fear nobody. The minnows already showed their power when outplayed Barcelona 4:2 as guests. Michel's men should not be underestimated. Atletico Madrid are seven points away from the first place and they will go for victory. Even a point is not good-enough for Simeone. Considering these facts, I expect an open and efficient match with at least three goals.

Girona vs Atletico Madrid Pick: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.68 with Pinnacle

 

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Las Palmas vs Barcelona Preview:

Possible starting lineups:

Las Palmas:
Valles; Suarez, Coco, Marmol, Cardona; Munoz, Perrone, Rodriguez; Park, Munir, Sandro

Barcelona:
Pena; Cancelo, Araujo, Kounde, Balde; Roberto, De Jong, Gundogan; Raphinha, Torres, Lewandowski

Las Palmas welcome the reigning Champions Barcelona to Gran Canaria on Thursday night. Barca are huge favorites, however the hosts should not be underestimated. They sit in the middle of the table with 25 points. A victory here could see them two or three places higher. The overall form is mixed, one win, one draw and one defeat on the last three matches in La Liga. However, the home form is quite good, two victories and one draw on the last three home fixtures. The opponents were not easy, Atletico Madrid were between the victims. The Rojiblancos suffered a 2:1 defeat in early October. But Las Palmas have some missing players. Alvaro Lemos is out injured, while Fabio Gonzalez and Alberto Moleiro are rated as doubtful due to ankle and shoulder injury respectively. Barcelona loanee Julian Araujo is ineligible to face his parent club due to a clause in his loan agreement. Defender Saul Coco will probably play his last match before joining up with the Equatorial Guinea squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.

Barcelona sit on the fourth place with 38 points, seven less than co-leaders Real Madrid and Girona. The actual form is mixed, one win, one draw and one defeat on the last three matches in La Liga. They were outplayed by Girona, shared the points with Valencia at Mestalla and narrowly beat the bottom-placed Almeria. The final result was 3:2 and Barca had a tough match that was decided in the finish thanks to Sergi Roberto's late goal. Coach Xavi is feeling some pressure, as well as the players. Collecting three points from Gran Canaria is definitely very important for the atmosphere in the club. But Xavi has some additional issues, some players are struggling with injuries. Pedri is the latest victim after joining Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inigo Martinez, Marcos Alonso and Gavi on the sidelines. On the positive note, Frenkie de Jong is back from a suspension. Brazilian striker Vitor Roque is the new acquisition after completing a move from Athletico Paranaense. Most probably he could make his debut off the bench.

Las Palmas vs Barcelona Prediction:

Barcelona haven't lost at Gran Canaria since February 1991, when they suffered a narrow defeat in Copa del Rey first-leg fixture. And I think the hosts could upset the reigning champions again. Las Palmas have excellent defense with only 15 goals conceded so far, a record that can only be bettered by leaders Real Madrid (11). Barcelona are in must-win situation, but it won't be easy. The Blaugrana didn't cover the handicap in the last 13 matches in La Liga. Barcelona won seven times, but all seven victories were narrow.

Las Palmas vs Barcelona Pick: Las Palmas +1.5 AH @ 1.56 with Pinnacle