La Liga matchday 20 clash between Espanyol and Girona will take place on 16 January at the Cornella-El Prat stadium in Barcelona. Espanyol vs Girona: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Espanyol
Espanyol are yet to win in 2026. Not long ago, the Catalan club put together their best winning run in La Liga in the 21st century, taking maximum points from five straight games, but they have now collected just one point from the last two matchdays. After a frustrating derby defeat to Barcelona, the club could not get past relegation-zone Levante (1:1). It is also worth noting that Manolo Gonzalez's side have conceded in three consecutive league matches, having previously kept three straight clean sheets in the competition. Espanyol remain fifth in the standings, with the gap to fourth reduced to four points, but they no longer have a game in hand.
- No more than two goals were scored in five of the club's last six La Liga matches.
- The team have avoided defeat in six of their previous seven La Liga games (five wins, one draw).
- Espanyol's no-draw home run in this competition stands at six matches (three wins, three defeats).
Potential Espanyol Lineup (4-4-2)*
Marko Dmitrovic – Fernando Calero, Leandro Cabrera, Carlos Romero, Omar El Hilali – Urko Gonzalez, Jofre Carreras, Edu Exposito, Tyrhys Dolan – Pere Milla, Kike Garcia.
Midfielder Pol Lozano could return to the squad after serving a suspension.
Girona
Over the past few weeks, Girona have noticeably improved their league position. In their last league game, the Catalan side edged Osasuna 1:0, a result that marked a second straight victory and a third win in their last four La Liga matches. By comparison, Michel Sanchez's men had won only two of their first 15 league matches of the season. The team have not only climbed out of the relegation zone, but have also moved up to 13th in the table. On points, Girona are now closer to eighth than to 18th. Even so, Girona still hold the status of the most unreliable defensive side in La Liga, having conceded 34 goals in total in this league campaign.
- The Catalan side have scored in 10 of their last 12 matches in the Spanish league.
- Girona's no-draw run in La Liga has reached five games (three wins, two defeats).
- The club have failed to keep a clean sheet in 10 straight away matches in this competition.
Potential Girona Lineup (4-5-1)*
Paulo Gazzaniga – Hugo Rincon, Daley Blind, Vitor Reis, Alex Moreno – Arnau Martinez, Ivan Martin, Bryan Gil, Viktor Tsygankov, Thomas Lemar – Vladyslav Vanat.
Midfielder Llass Kuroma is suspended. Goalkeeper Juan Carlos Martin, midfielders Azzedine Ounahi and Donny van de Beek, and forwards Abel Ruiz and Portu are unavailable through injury.
Referee
Iosu Galech Apestegui (Spain)
Matches – 10 (La Liga, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 46;
Yellow cards per match on average – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 3;
Fouls per match on average – 28;
Penalties – 30%.
Espanyol vs Girona: Match Prediction
Espanyol have clearly slowed down compared to their strong run at the end of last year. In the first half of January, the club collected only one point from two La Liga matches, and while the defeat to Barcelona can be described as not critical, the draw with a lacklustre Levante near the foot of the table was an unnecessary slip-up. Now the home team welcome an awkward opponent. Espanyol are without a win in five straight league head-to-head meetings (three draws, two defeats). On their own ground, the team have not won at all, having taken only two points from four previous matches in this competition.
Girona are in form and are currently producing their best spell of the season. Over the last four league rounds, the club have recorded three wins — more than they managed in their first 15 La Liga matches (two). Since the start of November, the Catalan side have suffered only two defeats in eight league games. The team have moved out of the relegation zone and built a comfortable cushion, and can now start thinking about finishing in the top half of the table.
Prediction: Girona (+1)
* For each team, the starting XI listed is from their last match in this competition.
