Girona vs Real Sociedad – News and Probable Lineups

Girona is aiming to enhance their chances of survival as they host Real Sociedad at Montilivi for Thursday’s La Liga fixture.

The home team currently occupies the 17th position, while the guests are sitting in eighth place ahead of matchday 36.

Match overview

With just three matches remaining, Girona finds themselves only two points above the relegation zone, having not secured a victory in their last five outings since defeating Villarreal 1-0 on April 6 (D2, L3).

Michel’s squad managed to earn a point in Monday’s away match against his former team, Rayo Vallecano, where Girona icon Cristhian Stuani scored a last-minute equalizer just four minutes after Alemao believed he had secured the win for Los Franjirrojos.

Now, the Catalan club returns to Montilivi as they aim to extend their stay in the top division, looking to avoid suffering a third straight home defeat.

In reality, the Blanquivermells begin the matchday with one of the joint worst home records in La Liga, having gathered only 22 points from 17 games played at Montilivi.

Only two teams have conceded more goals than Girona (25), while just three have scored fewer home goals than the 19 they have achieved in front of their fans this season.

Girona has historically struggled at home against Real Sociedad, having never secured a victory in La Liga, though they can take some pride from having won 2-1 in the reverse fixture last December.

Real Sociedad’s season achieved its pinnacle on April 18, when they triumphed over Atletico Madrid on penalties to secure their fourth Copa del Rey title, their first in front of fans since the 1986-87 season.

However, Pellegrino Matarazzo’s team has seen a natural decline following that victorious night in Sevilla, having garnered only two points from their subsequent four La Liga fixtures.

La Real narrowly lost to Getafe and Sevilla, sandwiching a thrilling 3-3 draw with Sevilla, before staging a comeback from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Real Betis at home on Saturday.

Orri Oskarsson found the net in the 79th minute to reduce the deficit, followed by captain Mikel Oyarzabal converting a stoppage-time penalty to secure a draw against the side currently placed fifth in the league.

This result effectively dashed Real Sociedad’s slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League, and with a spot in the Europa League already secured via the Copa del Rey, the eighth-placed team has only their position left to contest in their final three matches.

Desiring to achieve their first La Liga win since defeating Levante on April 4, Real Sociedad can take solace from the fact they’ve won two of their last three away encounters against Girona, including a recent 1-0 victory in October 2024 during their last visit to Montilivi.

Team News

Girona is without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Donny van de Beek, Cristian Portu, and Vladyslav Vanat due to injuries.

Bryan Gil returns to availability after serving a one-match suspension for accumulating yellow cards.

Ivan Martin and Claudio Echeverri are vying for starting roles after making an impact off the bench in the final half-hour against Rayo.

As for the visitors, they will be without long-term absentee Alvaro Odriozola, while the fitness of Igor Zubeldia and Goncalo Guedes remains uncertain.

Oskarsson will miss the match due to a one-match ban after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season in the draw against Betis.

Right-back Jon Aramaburu is anticipated to return to the starting eleven after sitting out the last match due to suspension.

Girona probable starting XI:

Gazzaniga; Martinez, Franças, Reis, Moreno; Witsel, Martin; Tsygankov, Ounahi, Gil; Echeverri

Real Sociedad probable starting XI:

Remiro; Aramburu, Martin, Caleta-Car, Gomez; Soler, Turrientes; Marin, Sucic, Barrenetxea; Oyarzabal

While Girona might have a stronger motivation than their opponents, they have not secured a win in their last four home league matches against Real Sociedad, and considering this, it seems likely that they will have to settle for a draw, especially as they remain winless in their last five La Liga games.