La Liga, Tuesday, 14.05.2024
It’s official: FC Girona will play Champions League next season! The surprise team from Catalonia will now look to continue their runners-up finish in front of a home crowd late on Tuesday evening when they take on Villarreal.
The Yellow Submarine, on the other hand, absolutely need a three-pointer at the Montilivi if they want to be in contention for the European Cup places.
Meanwhile, I strongly believe that we can look forward to a real goal festival and am betting on over 3.5 goals. Betting provider Happybet offers the best conditions for this bet with odds of 1.88.
In the Bundesliga it’s Stuttgart, in Italy Bologna and in Spain FC Girona – these three teams have probably surprised us the most positively this season across Europe!
The Albirrojos were only promoted to LaLiga in 2022 and secured 10th place in the top flight last season. In 2023/2024, the Gironistas were even in the place of the sun until matchday 17
With 75 points from 35 games, the surprise team is currently playing by far the best season in the club’s history. With 16 points from their last eight games, the Blanquivermells are also the team with the best form in the league behind Real Madrid.
After being beaten 3:1 by Atletico in mid-April, coach Michel’s team have won three of their last four matches. The Gironistas are particularly hard to beat at home, having won all of their last five competitive matches at home.
The fact that the hosts are now recognized as a real top team is also reflected in the odds of the bookmakers. Girona are the favorites for this match with odds of almost 1.80 to win.
On the other hand, odds of up to 4.0 are available for a three-pointer by the visitors, and if you bet on the double chance X2, you could end up with 2.1 times your stake.
However, I consider the betting market for the number of goals to be much more interesting. Both Girona and Villarreal are among the strongest offensive teams in Spain and always have major problems defensively
So it comes as little surprise to me that the bookies are also predicting a high-scoring game. A measly 1.35 odds are on offer for the “over 2.5 goals bet”.
We are also at a similar odds level with the “Both teams to score” bet, but this bet is not a serious option for me in view of the miserable odds.
Although there is not that much at stake for Girona, a drop in performance is not to be expected in my opinion. You can see the Blanquivermells’ pure joy in playing attacking soccer week after week
In contrast to the hosts, the season of the eighth-placed team has been rather mediocre. They are six points behind 7th place in the Conference League, but have a significantly worse goal difference and have played one game more than rivals Real Sociedad.
The yellow submarine also has a tough remaining program: two of the last three matches are away, with champions Real Madrid coming on the penultimate matchday. There is therefore a good chance that the 2021 Europa League winners will miss out on international business for the first time in four years
The fact that Villarreal can still dream of Europe at all is thanks to their recent performances. They have picked up 16 points in their last eight games and have scored at least one goal in each of their last twelve league games.
In general, the strengths of last year’s seventh-placed team lie in their offense. Only the top four teams in the league have scored more often to date. Under coach Marcelino, who has been in charge since mid-November, Villarreal are averaging more than two goals per game
The visitors are all the more vulnerable in defense. The ball has already found the back of the net a staggering 60 times, with only Almeria and Granada conceding more.
In view of the fact that Girona are one of the most playful teams in the league and Villarreal are very careless against the ball, it is worth taking a look at the conditions for the “Girona over 1.5 goals” bet. However, the 1.41 odds for this are manageable, but at the same time always justified
Between Girona and Villarreal it’s not just about the three points, but also about the top scorer’s crown. LaLiga top scorer Artem Dovbyk currently has 20 goals to his name, but Villarreal’s Alexander Sörloth is hot on his heels with 19 goals for the season.
It is also worth mentioning that the two teams have only faced each other 14 times in a competitive match. This is due to the fact that this is only the third time Girona have played in LaLiga.
Incidentally, there has always been a winner in the previous duels. Villarreal have won four of the last five meetings, but Girona won the first leg 2:1
If neither coach suddenly makes any major changes to the system, we can look forward to an entertaining game. In my opinion, Girona are the clear favorites, but I would refrain from betting on the hosts.
The betting markets for the number of goals are much more interesting, even if the odds don’t really play along here. Both teams usually get off to a storming start, and an early goal could be the can opener.
My tip is therefore: There will be over 3.5 goals
