Girona vs Fuenlabrada predictions and match preview for Sunday’s game in the Segunda Division. Read on for the head-to-head, team news and analysis as the visitors look to continue their fast start to the season.
- DATE: Sunday 4th October 2020
- KICK-OFF: 12:00 (local time)
- VENUE: Montilivi
- COMPETITION: LaLiga SmartBank
Girona vs Fuenlabrada Preview
Girona play their first home game of the new season as they welcome Segunda División infants Fuenlabrada to the Estadi Montilivi for a Sunday lunchtime kick-off. This is the second consecutive season for both teams in LaLiga Smartbank. While Girona dropped from the top flight in 2019, Fuenlabrada won their first ever promotion to the Spanish second tier in the same year.
The Catalan side could easily have been hosting the likes of Atlético, Barcelona or Real Madrid this weekend but a last minute defeat at the hands of Elche in the play-off final in August meant there was no immediate return to LaLiga Santander for Francisco’s side. Instead, Girona head into this match following a 2-0 defeat away to early Segunda pace-setters Sporting de Gijón. Two second half strikes from Djuka at El Molinón made the difference as the Albirrojos couldn’t reply with a goal even with nine shots on target throughout the match. Francisco was without his key man Christhian Stuani as the striker was suspended due to a red card in the play-off loss to Elche.
Girona have lost some of their main first team players in the past few weeks so there were debuts for four of the club’s new loan signings. Barça midfielder Monchu was impressive as he created most of the team’s chances. The debuts of left back Enric Franquesa and striker Pablo Moreno didn’t go so well as Franquesa was sent off in the First Half for a lunging challenge on Aitor and Moreno’s lacklustre display meant that he was substituted at the break.
Fuenlabrada’s start to this campaign has been brilliant to say the least and even more so considering their chaotic end to last season. The team from Madrid already have seven points on the board in three matches which could so nearly have been nine if not for Claudio Mendes’ last gasp equaliser in a 3-3 draw at Las Palmas last week.
Randy Ntekja has been on the scoresheet twice in the three matches as the young striker aims to fill the goalscoring boots of the departed Hugo Fraile this season. Pathé Ciss’ sumptuous free kick led José Ramón Sandoval’s side to a slender 1-0 win versus Albacete last Saturday. Fuenlabrada dominated proceedings during the majority of the match and their strong defensive show totally neutralised the threat from the Albacete front duo of Ortuño and Zozulya.
Head to Head
- Last 2 Competitive Meetings: 2 Girona Wins.
- The only previous league meetings came last season with Girona winning both to nil.
- They were 2-0 winners in this fixture and won 1-0 at Fuenla later in the season.
Girona vs Fuenlabrada Predictions
Score Prediction: Girona 1-1 Fuenlabrada
On paper Girona, who should be boosted by the return of talisman Cristhian Stuani, would be the favourites for this but given the advantage Fuenla has in terms of match fitness and form, this looks like an even contest. The new arrivals for the home side will take time to settle in and gel with the squad.
It’s not easy for visiting teams to win at Montilivi as Girona only lost three home matches during the whole of 2019/20. Francisco’s men are expected to keep a greater share of the ball and inflict damage upon Fuenla who generally tend to struggle a bit against possession-based teams. But with this Fuenlabrada side in freescoring form and up against an unstable Girona defence, it could be difficult for the home team to keep a clean sheet.
LaLiga SmartBank Betting Tips (18+)
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Read all our weekend Segunda Division previews & predictions here!
