Atletico Madrid - Girona predictions and free betting tips [13/04/2024]

On Saturday, 13 April, as part of the 33rd tour of Spain's La Liga, Atletico will host Girona. Last week, the "mattress makers" struggled to beat Borussia Dortmund in the first Champions League quarterfinal, while the Catalans continue to battle for second place in the championship with Barcelona.

Predicted Lineups

Atletico: Oblak; Savic, Jimenez, Azpilicueta; Riquelme, Llorente, Koke, Saul, Lino; Griezmann, Morata.
Girona: Gazzaniga; E Garcia, D Lopez, Blind; Couto, Herrera, A Garcia, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Dovbic, Savio.

Atletico

This season Atletico is under a real threat of missing the next Champions League. In recent years, the top three spots in La Liga have been shared between Real Madrid, Barcelona and the "mattress makers", but this season Girona has decided to add a pinch of salt to this dominance. Simeone's charges are closely followed by Athletic Bilbao (only 2 points behind). Last round, "los Colchoneros" achieved a 2-1 victory over Villarreal after two disappointments – the home defeat to the Blaugranas (0:3) and the surprising fiasco against Cadiz (2:0) ranking 18th. Last week, the "Indios" hosted Borussia Dortmund in the first Champions League quarterfinal match and managed to win 2:1 – Lino and Rodrigo de Paul were the goal contributors. 

It should be noted that Diego Simeone's team has the second-best home record in La Liga this season, accruing 40 points in 15 matches supported by the home crowd. The hosts' squad is still without Thomas Lemar, Memphis Depay (unavailable for the next 3-4 weeks), central defender Jimenez (still enduring physical loads), and young midfielder Pablo Barrios, who is serving a suspension for an excess of yellow cards. Good news is: Argentinian World champions Molina and De Paul are back (both were suspended against Villarreal). Antoine Griezmann (11 goals, 6 assists) is in phenomenal form and leads the capital's team offense (6 goals in 8 matches), while being supported by Morata (14 goals in La Liga), Correa (7 goals), and Llorente (6 goals, 3 assists).

Girona

Girona has performed convincingly in the Champions League race, occupying a splendid 3rd place just two points behind Barcelona, playing the same day. Obviously, a victory today pretty much guarantees the Blanquivermell a finish in the top three, as they are ten points ahead of Atletico. However, after a brisk start, Michel's proteges have slowed down in recent weeks: losing four out of their last seven matches, all away. The first setback occurred against Real Madrid (4:0), followed by a 3:2 fiasco against Copa del Rey holders Athletic Bilbao, a 1:0 defeat to Mallorca, and 1:0 to Getafe. Before the March international break, Girona defeated Betis 3:2 thanks to a brace from Dovbic and a goal from Stuani. 

In general, the Catalans rank third in terms of away points (27 in 15 encounters, with 24 goals scored and 20 conceded). The coaching staff will likely have to make do without injured Artero, Roki (barely used this season) and Toni Vili (recovering from a cruciate ligament rupture). Meanwhile, Brazilian Savio (8 goals, 7 assists) is back from suspension, but key midfielder Ivan Martin will pay the price for accumulating too many yellow cards. Dovbic, who has for a long time been outscoring Jude Bellingham in the La Liga goalscorer list, will lead the attack, with support from 37-year-old Stuani (8 goals, 2 assists), Tsygankov (6 goals, 4 assists), and Herrera.

Head-to-head

Girona lost three out of their last four matches against Atletico but won the first leg of the current season with a score of 4:3 in January.

Match prediction for Atletico - Girona

Atletico must claim all three points to reignite the podium race. Although the Catalan club has lost four out of their last four away matches, it approaches the game in a much better physical condition: Atletico had an energy-consuming quarterfinal Champions League showdown with Borussia last week. My prediction – a no-loss situation for the guests.