Girona - Real Betis predictions and free betting tips [31/03/2024]

On the 31st of March, Sunday, as part of the 30th round of the Spanish Primera Division, Girona will host Betis at their home ground. The Catalans occupy the third place in the league table and conceded to Getafe with a 1:0 scoreline before the international break, while the seventh-placed Betis capitulated to Rayo Vallecano (2:0).

Predicted Lineups

Girona: Gassaniga; Couteau, E. Garcia, Juanpe, Blind; Martin, A. Garcia; Portu, Torre, Stuani, Dovbik.
Betis: Silva; Ruibal, Pezzella, Riad, Miranda; Rodriguez, Carvalho; Fornals, Isco, Fekir; Willian Jose.

Girona

In recent weeks, Girona clearly slowed down, which caused Barcelona to climb to the second place in the league table. Now, the blue and red are third overall, having lost two of the last three league games before the international gathering—against Mallorca (1:0) and Getafe (1:0). In between these setbacks, Michel's charges scored a 2:0 victory over Osasuna. Thus, the Catalans are ten points behind Real Madrid, but the target for the remainder of the season is to secure a Champions League berth (the gap from Atletico is seven points). Furthermore, Girona won the last two home meetings, and their results as underdogs in front of their fans this campaign have been superb, garnering 35 points from 14 matches with only one defeat. 

Artero, Errera (4 goals in La Liga), Borja Garcia, David Lopez (2 goals in 17 matches), Roca and Tony Villa (recovering from a cruciate ligament tear) will be absent on Sunday due to various injuries. In addition, future Man City winger Savio, with 8 goals and 7 assists in La Liga, is serving a suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards - his role will likely be taken by veteran Cristhian Stuani. In contrast, a return to action is expected for Ukrainian midfielder Tsygankov (6 goals, 4 assists) after injury, while his compatriot Dovbik, with 14 goals in the championship, hasn't scored for 8 straight games! Portu will be responsible for creativity in midfield, and Daley Blind will patrol the right flank of the defence.

Betis

Sevilla's Betis are in seventh place in the league table, but their recent results cannot but worry their supporters. Their goal for the remainder of the season is to secure European qualification, which requires them to finish in the top six. Before the international break, the team of Mauricio Pochettino suffered three straight defeats - to Rayo Vallecano (who went nine rounds without a victory) with a 2:0 scoreline, to Atletico Madrid (2:1) and to Villarreal (2:3). In addition, the Verdiblancos failed to advance from the group stage of the Europa League and were knocked out by Dinamo Zagreb in the playoff round of the Conference League. Noteworthy, Betis are in only tenth place overall when it comes to performances away from home: 15 points from 14 away matches, 13 goals scored, 20 conceded.

Marc Bartra (out for the season due to injury), Hector Bellerin, Sabaly and Marc Roca will all be absent from the Sevillians' squad due to injuries. It's also doubtful that striker Bakambu will recover from his injury in time. Goalkeeper Chimi Avila (1 goal in 5 appearances for Betis), who moved from Osasuna this winter, will return from suspension. Meanwhile, Willian Jose (8 goals, 3 assists in La Liga), Isco (6 goals, 3 assists), and Ayoze Perez (4 goals) will orchestrate the Verdiblancos' attacks. William Carvalho will be in the midfield while Nabil Fekir will move to the flank. Assane Diao and Rodri are expected to be on the bench and might come on in the second half.

Head to Head

The first round at the Benito Villamarin couldn't find a winner (1:1). In all the last six previous meetings in Catalonia, Betis have consistently triumphed!

Match prediction Girona - Betis

Girona desperately needs 3 points to retain their third-place position and a Champions League spot. Betis aim to put an end to a series of three straight defeats in La Liga, and close the gap on Real Sociedad in the battle for the top six. However, the hosts have only lost once at home this season - to Real Madrid in September last year, while the 'Cucumbers' have been underperforming on their travels. I think the favourite will take all three points at Montivili.