As the LaLiga 2024-25 season heats up, Girona FC hosts CD Leganés at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi on November 2, 2024. This match is crucial for both teams as they aim to climb the league table. Currently, Girona is in 13th place after a mixed run of results, while Leganés sits in 14th after being promoted. With only a thin margin separating their positions, the match promises to be fiercely competitive. Girona is banking on Cristhian Stuani, their main goal threat with three goals so far, while Leganés relies on their top scorer, Juan Cruz, who also has three goals to his name. Although Girona celebrated wins against Alaves and Getafe recently, they have not been consistent. Leganés is coming off an impressive win over Celta Vigo but had trouble finding form earlier this season. Girona’s injury challenges might affect their performance coming into this clash.
Girona vs Leganes Prediction & Betting Tip
Looking at the game dynamics, there’s a sense that Leganés might start strong. They have a history of high-intensity beginnings to matches. Girona’s injury problems could weaken their defense in the early stages.
| Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| Leganes 1st Half Win | 6.5 |
Girona vs Leganes Odds
The odds reflect the tight contest expected between these two clubs, barely separated in the standings. Yet there’s a slight edge towards Leganés, thanks to their energetic game starts and ability to adapt in tough situations like top-tier football. Girona’s patchy form and injury issues also influenced these odds.
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| Girona to Win | 2.30 |
| Draw | 3.10 |
| Leganes to Win | 3.60 |
Girona Team Analysis
Girona Recent Performance
Girona has had a mix of results recently. They secured important wins at home against Alaves (2-1) and Getafe (3-0), displaying their potential. Yet defeats to Las Palmas, with some controversial decisions, and Valencia, reveal inconsistency. A standout was their Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava with a 2-0 scoreline.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Girona | Alaves | 2-1 |
| Girona | Getafe | 3-0 |
| Las Palmas | Girona | 1-0 |
| Valencia | Girona | 1-2 |
| Girona | Slovan Bratislava | 2-0 |
Across these matches, Girona scored six goals but conceded five, highlighting some defensive fragility. Their game against Valencia had a 57% possession rate, showing their control of the ball.
Girona Key Players
Cristhian Stuani is crucial to Girona’s offensive power, with an ability to score in vital moments. Defensively and offensively, Miguel Gutiérrez is a key player. In midfield, Arnau Martinez orchestrates play and sets the pace. The team combines young talent with experienced players like Stuani to achieve their goals.
Girona Suspensions & Injuries
Girona is dealing with several injuries. Alejandro Francés is sidelined with a tendon issue, and Ivan Martín is out with an adductor problem for a few weeks. These setbacks force strategic adjustments within the team line-up.
| Player | Injury | Return Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Alejandro Francés | Tendon hamstring | TBD |
| Ivan Martín | Adductor | 2-3 weeks |
| Cristian Portu | Ongoing assessment | TBD |
| Jhon Solis | TBD | TBD |
| Oriol Romeu | TBD | TBD |
Coach Míchel aims to solve these challenges by using young players to step up in key roles.
Girona Tactics and Formation
Girona typically plays a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on ball possession and wide-play to create chances. Their midfield, with Donny van de Beek, is crucial for controlling the game, especially against a team like Leganés, known for counter-attacks.
Leganes Team Analysis
Leganes Recent Performance
Leganés enters this game feeling good after a strong 3-0 win over Celta Vigo. But they’ve had ups and downs, including a 0-0 draw with Valencia and earlier struggles to score, highlighting inconsistent performances.
| Home Team | Away Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Leganés | Celta Vigo | 3-0 |
| Leganés | Valencia | 0-0 |
| Osasuna | Leganés | 1-1 |
| Leganés | Betis | 1-3 |
| Villarreal | Leganés | 0-1 |
Despite recent improvements, they had a tough time earlier with a seven-game winless streak, affecting team morale, but tactical changes are yielding positive results.
Leganes Key Players
Juan Cruz is a key player, delivering with his scoring skills. Supporting him is Sébastien Haller, offering experience in attack. Yvan Neyou Noupa provides stability in midfield, while the defensive duo of Jorge Saenz and Matija Nastasic is backed by Dmitrovic in goal, strengthening their defense.
Leganes Suspensions & Injuries
Leganés arrives with minor injury concerns, keeping their squad options mostly intact. However, minor injuries might result in some lineup changes.
| Player | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Naim Garcia | Ongoing management | TBD |
This gives Leganés an advantage of squad depth heading into the matchup, helping them seek better league standings and improve form.
Leganes Tactics and Formation
Leganés usually sets up in a 4-4-2 formation, emphasizing a strong defense to limit Girona’s attack. They rely on quick transitional play to capitalize on opposition errors, using their strengths on the wings.
Girona vs Leganes Head-to-Head Statistics
Looking at their head-to-head clashes, Girona has three wins, and Leganés two in recent matches, indicating their close competition. Most games between them have been low-scoring, suggesting a tactical showdown is likely.
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-02-27 | Leganés | 1-1 | Girona |
| 2021-12-06 | Leganés | 0-3 | Girona |
| 2021-02-07 | Girona | 0-2 | Leganés |
| 2020-10-11 | Leganés | 0-1 | Girona |
| 2019-03-16 | Leganés | 0-2 | Girona |
These past encounters illustrate tightly contested battles, and with recent changes, the upcoming match may hinge on tactical nuances and key individual performances.
Venue and Weather
The game at Estadi Municipal de Montilivi promises a vibrant atmosphere, with passionate home support for Girona. Weather forecasts suggest mild conditions with a chance of light rain, which could make the pitch slippery. Temperatures will be between 14°C and 20°C, perfect for football but potentially challenging if rain affects the grass. Light winds could influence long passes and set pieces, offering a slight edge to Girona with their home-ground experience in such cases. Both teams will need to adapt their tactics to these potential weather conditions, maintaining focus to handle the environmental factors effectively.
