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Match Preview for Barcelona v Girona
Barcelona’s next step in their quest to reclaim the title from Real Madrid sees them welcome neighbours Girona to the Olympic Stadium, with the visitors failing to match their LaLiga exploits of last season.
Hansi Flick’s men eased to a 3-0 win over Osasuna on Thursday to go three points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table, stretching their unbeaten run in all competitions to 19 matches in the process. They last dropped points in LaLiga back in January 18, when Getafe held the Blaugrana to a 1-1 draw.
75% – Hans-Dieter Flick 🇩🇪 has won 33 of his 44 games for @FCBarcelona in all competitions, equalling Tito Vilanova (75%). Of the managers with 10+ Barcelona’s games, only Luis Enrique (76.24%) has a better percentage than the German. Star#Barcelona ❤💙#barcelonaosasuna pic.twitter.com/uM7hb697Fy
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 27, 2025
But Barca will likely be under pressure again by the time they kick-off on Sunday, with Madrid expected to move level on points when they face Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Barca will remain top regardless having thumped Madrid 4-0 back in October, but the anticipated routine win for Carlo Ancelotti’s side will increase the onus on Barca not to slip up against a team that qualified for the Champions League last season.
Girona made it to Europe’s top table after reaching the dizzying heights of third place in the 2023-24 season. However, they have not been able to challenge LaLiga’s established order this campaign. Indeed, they are just seven points above the relegation zone.
The likelihood is that Girona will survive, but they might be looking more nervously over their shoulders after this weekend. Barca were 4-1 winners in the reverse fixture back in September thanks in part to a Lamine Yamal double. Girona claimed 4-2 home and away wins last season, but nothing in the form book suggests a side winless in their last six matches will be able to upset the odds in this one.
Team news for Barcelona v Girona
Having missed out on the game against Osasuna following his participation in Brazil’s humbling at the hands of arch rivals Argentina, winger Raphinha is line to return to the fray for Barca.
Pau Cubarsi should be available to play in the heart of the Barca defence despite a minor ankle injury suffered on Spain duty, but an adductor injury sustained by Dani Olmo in the win over Osasuna will keep him out of Flick’s plans. Barcelona confirmed on Friday that the Spain international would be sidelined for three weeks.
Andreas Christensen, Marc Casado, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are all unavailable.
Andreas Christensen continues with his recovery work! 💪 pic.twitter.com/15n7gEQGb6
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 28, 2025
For Girona, former Manchester United and Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek is suspended, while Abel Ruiz, Jhon Solis and Ivan Martin are all injured.
Predicted line-ups for Barcelona v Girona
Barcelona: Szczesny, Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde, De Jong, Pedri, Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha, Lewandowski
Girona: Gazzaniga, A Martinez, Blind, Kjeci, Gutierrez, Herrera, Romeu, Arthur, Tsygankov, Stuani, Danjuma
Barcelona v Girona can be watched on Premier Sports 2 and La Liga TV in the UK. The match kicks off at 3:15pm UK time.
It can also be streamed on the Premier Sports app and the bet365 app.