Girona vs Villarreal

Estadio Municipal de Montilivi forms the backdrop for a handsomely-looking La Liga match-up between Girona and Villarreal.

A goal-glutted 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad last time out may have halted Girona’s impressive three-match winning run in La Liga, but the hosts could still make history this season. They can secure European qualification for the first time in the club’s history, yet with only one point separating them from three close followers, they can’t take anything for granted. Villarreal have historically been formidable opposition for ‘Los Blanquivermells,’ given that they’ve only won two of their nine home games against ‘El Submarino Amarillo’ in all competitions (L7). However, Michel’s men have gone from strength to strength at the Municipal de Montilivil lately, winning their last four home league matches by an aggregate score of 10-4, with each win seeing them score at least twice.
Despite Girona’s purple patch, Villarreal should be unfazed as they’re enjoying an impressive spell of form themselves, having won three of their last four La Liga outings (D1). An overwhelming 5-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao in the previous round will likely help ‘El Submarino Amarillo’ take the field in a buoyant mood, seeking a return to winning ways on hostile turf. Indeed, after back-to-back away league wins, Quique Setien’s men have gone winless on their last two road trips (D1, L1), failing to score before halftime on each occasion. That’s hardly a surprise, considering Villarreal’s attacking set-up usually sparks into life after the break – 15 of their 20 away league goals this term have come in the second half of play (75%).