Girona will host Arsenal at their Estadio Montilivi in the eighth and final group stage game in this season’s UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, January 29.
The hosts will enter this game in 31st place in the table with just three points from seven games, with elimination from Europe all but a formality at this point. They have won just two of their last five matches across competitions, losing their last three on the bounce. Facing a team like Arsenal with such form will not be easy by any means, but playing at home should give them a slight boost.
The Gunners, on the other hand, are third in the UCL table with 16 points from seven matches. They need only a point to secure direct qualification to the knockout rounds, but will still look for a win to boost their confidence. They will enter this contest on the back of a good run of form, winning two, drawing two and losing one of their last five matches. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last four and will look to extend that run.
On that note, let’s take a look at the team news from both camps.
Girona Team News & Predicted Lineup
Manager Michel fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match but they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Rayo Vallecano. Most of the players – especially midfielders – played at a high level. Daley Blind and Paulo Gazzaniga picked up knocks but should be available for the next one. The team will be without Miguel Gutierrez, who is out with a shin injury and is expected to return mid-February.
Predicted XI: Gazzaniga; Martinez, Juanpe (C), Lopez, Blind; Herrera, Martin, van de Beek; Asprilla, Gil, Danjuma.
Arsenal Team News & Predicted Lineup
Manager Mikel Arteta rotated his squad slightly in his last game as the team dug deep and secured a 1-0 win against Wolves away from home. All the players played well in that game and the Spaniard also used two substitutes, but there were no new injuries or suspensions to report.
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The team will be without four players, though, all of whom were injured previously. Benjamin White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Bukayo Saka (hamstring) and Gabriel Jesus (cruciate ligament) will all miss out as they continue to recover from their injuries. Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori should return to the XI for this one.
Predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard (C), Partey, Rice; Martinelli, Havertz, Trossard.
Head-to-Head Record
These two teams have never faced each other before in a friendly or a competitive match, meaning Wednesday’s Champions League tie will be the first-ever match between Girona and Arsenal.
Girona vs Arsenal Prediction
Since there is no past head-to-head record to go by, recent form suggests Arsenal are favorites to win the next one. Despite playing away from home, the Gunners should be able to do the job, mainly courtesy of their nearly water-tight defense.
Prediction: Girona 0-2 Arsenal.
