LA LIGA PREVIEW: GIRONA VS BARCELONA

The first Catalan Derby between these two in the top flight since 2019 promises to be an eye catching spectacle.

Barça have their eyes and hearts firmly set on La Liga. Xavi's men have won the Supercup and recently confirmed their place in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey with a narrow home win over Real Sociedad. They're also yet to concede in the league this year. Imperious domestically, they sit 3 points ahead of the rest of the pack and have a chance to make it 8 wins on the bounce as they travel up north to take on the only other likeable Catalan club.

Girona, since their return to the top flight have endured a mixed season and now sit 12th in the table, 13 points away from the drop. While they've produced an eye catching display going forward, scoring 26 goals in their 18 league games, they've been leaky at the back, conceding 28 in said numer of matches. Can they breach the best defence in Europe and keep out the second best attacking line in the league? 

INTERESTING STATS 

- Barcelona have kept a clean sheet in 12 of their last 15 La Liga matches.

- Girona are still waiting for their first victory against Barcelona in La Liga and are winless in the last four in a row (D1 L3), shipping 3.2 goals per game on average.

- Girona have managed to record just a single victory from their last five domestic outings.

- Los Blanquivermells have also failed to record a single La Liga clean sheet so far this season.

- Xavi’s side have gone six away games without a loss, with both teams finding the back of the net in three of those games

- During the last 8 meetings, the goal difference is 24-8 in favour of FC Barcelona.

- Girona FC haven't lost in any of their last 6 home matches.

- Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 29 matches against Catalan teams in La Liga, with their previous such defeat coming at the hands of Espanyol by a 2-1 margin in 2009

(sportsmole.co.uk)

Last four meetings (in La Liga)

27/1/19 Girona 0-2 Barça

28/9/18  Barça 2-2 Girona

24/2/18 Barça 6-1 Girona

23/9/17 Girona 0-3 Barça

TEAM NEWS

Girona

Michel will have to do without the trio of Reinier, Kebe and Lopez, all out with injuries. Santi Bueno will also be unavailable due to his suspension against Villarreal. The coach will set his team up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Paulo Gazzaniga is up for a potentially busy afternoon between the sticks against Barcelona.

The Argentine shot-stopper will be shielded by the four-man backline, which consists of Arnau Martinez, Javi Hernandez, Bernardo Espinosa, and Miguel Gutierrez. 

Martinez, as we all know, is heavily linked to Barcelona next season, so this is his chance to show Xavi (and the fans) why he deserves to move to the Camp Nou. Gutierrez, a madridsta, will be doing the same, hoping his main employers from the capital are watching.

Oriol Romeu and Aleix Garcia will partner up as pivots in the middle of the park, with the latter, who in many ways is their best player this season, assuming a more free and creative role.

Rodrigo Riquelme starts at right wing, while Toni Villa is expected to hold on to his spot on the left, with Ivan Martin operating behind Valentin Castellanos. Club’s top scorer and veteran, Cristhian Stuani, who always loves a goal against Barça, will wait in the wings.

Barcelona

Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres will complete their suspensions by sitting this one out. Xavi has everyone else available.

While there's no question as to who is starting between the sticks, a decent level of rotation is expected here as the games are now being played every 3-4 days. Ander Astralaga, the 18 year old goalkeeper of the U19 team, also makes the first team squad for the first time.

 This is the perfect opportunity for the likes of Jordi Alba, Marcos Alonso ( who just signed a new contract), Eric Garcia and Hector Bellerin to show why they should be considered as more than fringe players.

Pedri came off an injury scare against Sociedad and is expected to make this squad for this clash. Xavi will however do well to rotate the midfield as well in order to keep his best players fresh for what's to come. Pablo Torre and Franck Kessie could have their chances here.

Due to the absence of Lewandowski and Torres, there's not much luxury to rotate in front, but it is expected that Raphinha and Ansu Fati will play huge roles here. Ángel Alarcón, who also renewed his contract, has been called up and could get decent minutes here. Ousmane Dembele, of course, will also be available.

Where and when are Girona vs Barcelona playing?

Location: Girona, Spain

Stadium: Estadi Montilivi

Date: Saturday 28 January

Kick-off Time: 15:15 GMT / 10:15 EST / 07:15 PST, 16:15 🇳🇬

Referee: Alejandro Muniz Ruiz.

Girona have reasons to be impressed with themselves this season, attacking-wise at least. As such, they should be able to pose a few problems to Barcelona's sturdy backline. Their questionable defense however, will likely be their undoing, if the visitors can put their chances away.

Either way, it's sure to be a spectacular atmosphere in Girona and a clash worth watching.

COPA DEL REY PREVIEW: BARCELONA VS REAL SOCIEDAD

Two unstoppable trains collide. Who stands their ground and who gives way? 

This is arguably the most anticipated Copa del Rey Quarter final clash this year. Two teams in really great form fight for a spot in the semi finals. Barcelona have been imperious at home domestically, even when they aren't at their very best, as was evident in the game against Getafe. After a dogged win against Intercity and a comfortable outing against AD Ceuta, they're yet to be tested again as Imanol's Real Sociedad come to town.

The team from San Sebastian have hit a good stride of their own, winning their last nine games on a spin and looking really good while doing it. They scored within the first five minutes of their last Copa del Rey outings, and it was enough to ensure progress. However, they do have a poor record against Barcelona, having not won the Catalans since 2016 and yet to taste victory at the Camp Nou since 1991. They'll want to put that out of their minds as they intend to take the next step to winning their second Copa del Rey in 4 years.

INTERESTING STATS 

- Barcelona and Real Sociedad have won the Copa del Rey a combined 34 times. This is the most of any match-up in this season’s quarter-final draw. 

- Barcelona are the most successful side in the history of the Copa Del Rey, winning the trophy 31 times.

- Barcelona are one of only three teams to win the competition four years in a row. They are also the only side to do so in the post-World War II era.

- Real Sociedad have conceded just one goal in their last 630 minutes of competitive football.

TEAM NEWS

Barcelona

Barça had an injury scare when Andreas Christensen was substituted during the game against Getafe with a hamstring issue. However, it's deemed not to be serious and he still makes the squad, although it's unsure if he'll start.

The choice of Goalkeeper is a curious one. Iñaki Pena is the one doing the job so far in the Copa del Rey, but in a game of this magnitude, Xavi will be tempted to put his best guy there, so we might see TerStegen.

Balde, Kounde and Araujo are sure starters, but with Christensen unsure, Sergi Roberto might be called up to start as RB.

There are rumors of Xavi deploying the same formation he used in the Supercup final, so we might see Pedri, Gavi, Busquets and Frenkie. Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres are available for this, but only the polish striker is sure to start. Dembele and Raphinha will round up the attack.

Real Sociedad

La Real have a lengthy injury list and will be without several players for the game. David Silva is the latest addition to the list which includes Martin Merquelanz, Mohamed-Ali Cho, Alex Sola, Mikel Merino, Andoni Gorosabel, Jon Pacheco, Ander Guevara and Sadiq Umar.

On the positive front, Mikel Oyerzabal is slowly gaining rhythm and will see ample game time here. Take Kubo was rested against Vallecano and Martin Zubimendi will return from suspension.

Alex Remiro should start in goal behind the formidable back four of Aritz Elustondo, Igor Zubeldia, Robin Le Normand and Diego Rico. Brais Mendez, Asier Illarramendi and Barcelona-linked Martin Zubimendi should form the midfield trio.

The trio of Ander Barrenetxea, Alexander Sorloth and Oyarzabal should form the frontline.

Where and when are Barcelona vs Real Sociedad playing?

Location: Barcelona, Spain

Stadium: Spotify Camp Nou

Date: Wednesday 25 January

Kick-off Time: 20:00 GMT / 150:00 EST / 12:00 PST

Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano 

Real Sociedad have the quality and morale to come to this game guns blazing but given their lengthy injury list, it will be an uphill battle as they'll face a fresh Lewandowski amongst others.

They're bound to play well and put up a good fight, as they always do, but history, quality and Current form favor the home side as they look to win their 32nd Copa del Rey trophy.