Espanyol and Girona set for thrilling Catalan derby with European ambitions
Both Catalan clubs enter Wednesday's clash in fine form, with Espanyol dreaming of Champions League football while Míchel's Girona aim to build on recent momentum.
Two Catalan sides with their arrows pointing firmly upward meet at the RCDE Stadium as Espanyol host Girona in what promises to be a proper tasty derby clash.
Form Guide
Manolo González’s Espanyol are flying high this season, sitting just four points off the Champions League spots. The Pericos have genuine ambitions of becoming the next Girona – that remarkable side that shocked La Liga two seasons back. Not half bad for a team that was playing in the second tier not long ago.
Girona, meanwhile, have finally found some consistency under Míchel, stringing together consecutive league wins for the first time this campaign. They’re looking to build momentum after what’s been a challenging follow-up to last season’s heroics.
Team News
Espanyol
- The hosts have been dealt a massive blow with captain Javi Puado rupturing a knee ligament against Levante, ruling him out for the remainder of the season
- Pol Lozano returns after serving his suspension for accumulated yellows
- The Pericos will be desperate to break their derby curse – they’ve never beaten Girona at the RCDE Stadium since their rivals reached the top flight
Girona
- Míchel’s squad remains stretched thin with multiple injuries
- They’ll be without Lass through suspension
- The treatment room remains busy with Portu, Van de Beek, Ounahi, Witsel and Abel Ruiz all sidelined
- Jhon Solís is absent with club permission as he finalizes a move to Birmingham
- No January reinforcements have arrived yet despite the squad being as bare as Mother Hubbard’s cupboard
- Claudio Echeverri’s official arrival is pending Solís’ departure
Key Battle
All eyes will be on the strikers as Roberto leads the line for Espanyol against Girona’s Vanat. The Espanyol number nine hasn’t been clinical in recent outings but remains crucial to their system. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Vanat is hitting his stride at Girona, showcasing his quality with a sublime backheel finish against Osasuna.
With both sides in the ascendancy and European football potentially on the line, this Catalan derby has all the ingredients for a proper barnstormer under the lights. The atmosphere at the RCDE Stadium should be absolutely electric for this one.