Real Valladolid vs Girona Predictions & Match Preview

Real Valladolid vs Girona predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two sides who were promoted last year meet.

Real Valladolid vs Girona Preview

Real Valladolid have a really big opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the bottom three when they host Girona this weekend. Many eyebrows were raised when they decided to sack Pacheta with the side in a position of safety but so far, the early signs are very promising under Paulo Pezzolano.

It’s 4 points and 5 goals from 2 games under the Uruguayan’s leadership, the perfect response to a heavy 6-0 loss at the Santiago Bernabeu. While Real Valladolid have been largely reliant on their home form for points this term, surprise wins since the turn of the year at Real Sociedad, and last weekend at Villarreal, have been key in ensuring they’ve remained just above the drop-zone.

The appointment of a new boss also looks to have helped bring some new ideas and a slightly different approach to their attacking play. Moroccan international Selim Amallah has slotted into an attacking midfield role behind a front two of Cyle Larin and Gonzalo Plata and that’s most likely how they will shape up again here.

Scoring goals has not been a problem for Girona at any point this season which is the main reason why they don’t find themselves in any serious relegation trouble. Indeed they moved into the top half with a 2-0 win over bottom club Elche last weekend and a strong finish to the season could yet propel them into European contention. The priority though was always going to be survival on their return to the top flight and they are all but safe now with an excellent return of 38 points from 29 games.

They are hampered here by the suspension of their main striker Taty Castellanos. That should see Cristhian Stuani come in and despite his advancing years and limited game-time, the 36 year old is still the club’s joint top scorer (along with Castellanos) this term in LaLiga with his 7 goals coming at a rate of one every 107 minutes.

Team News & Possible Lineups

Real Valladolid

Possible XI: Masip – Fresneda, El Yamiq, Joaquin, Luis Perez – Hongla – Monchu, Amallah, Kike Perez – Larin, Plata (4-1-3-2)

Coach: Paulo Pezzolano

Girona

Possible XI: Gazzaniga – Hernandez, Lopez, Juanpe, Arnau – Aleix Garcia, Romeu, Ivan Martin – Villa, Stuani, Tsygankov (4-3-3)

Coach: Michel

Score Prediction: Real Valladolid 2-1 Girona

We’ve seen a more attacking Real Valladolid under Pezzolano and there is the potential for a fair bit of goalmouth action here with Girona invariably positive in their approach. Home advantage and a bit of momentum that is building under new leadership could prove decisive though for Real Valladolid against a Girona side that has some notable selection issues.

PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.