La Liga continues this Monday with rejuvenated Sevilla welcoming in-form Girona in the 32nd Round of the league season.
The hosts have enjoyed a remarkable return to form under the management of 62-year-old Spanish journeyman José Luis Mendilibar.
His appointment has so far been an inspired decision from Sevilla, as Mendilibar has guided the Andalusian club not only to their longest undefeated period (W4, D1) of this La Liga season but also into the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
That has translated into an impressive seven games without a loss in his one-month tenure and a ten-point buffer from the relegation zone heading into this Round.
Meanwhile, they come into this tie on the back of a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao. However, they needed some luck to secure that win, as a last-minute penalty was their saving grace in the game.
They will now look to make it five wins in five games in all competitions in this match.
Read more: Real Mallorca vs Athletic Bilbao: Preview and Expert Football Prediction
Given that they are yet to lose a La Liga game at home to any club ranked below ninth-placed Vallecano at the start of this Round (W5, D3), Sevilla have every reason to be confident of avenging January’s 2-1 loss at Girona. Moreover, the hosts will be particularly optimistic as they have six wins from eight league home games in 2023 (D1, L1).
Meanwhile, Girona boosted ambitions of eclipsing their highest-ever top-flight finish (tenth in their La Liga debut 2017/18) when they beat Real Madrid 4-2 in their last outing. That win was their third La Liga win over the Spanish giants from six attempts (D1, L2), keeping them in the top half.
The visitors start this round eight points adrift of the top six, so European football could still be within reach if they can build upon that momentum on the run home.
However, closing that gap will require them to do better away from home. They have not enjoyed their road trips since March and recently came back down to earth after following a scoreless draw at Camp Nou with a loss to lowly Valladolid.
While their superior position in the table to Sevilla might suggest they have an advantage, Girona’s league away record against current bottom-half opposition (W1, D2, L5) leaves much to be desired.
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