Girona Set to Battle Real Madrid: Key Matchups, Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed

Real Madrid seek to break their two-match winless streak in La Liga this Sunday as they travel to face struggling Girona.

The Whites suffered frustrating stalemates on both sides of the November international window, losing valuable ground in their championship battle with Barcelona, but they're anticipated to bounce back to victory during their third consecutive La Liga away match.

Madrid's wild 4–3 spectacle against Olympiacos helped Xabi Alonso's team regain momentum, though their defensive vulnerabilities surfaced again in Athens. Luckily, they can count on Kylian Mbappé's brilliance, who netted all four goals and recorded the second-fastest hat-trick in Champions League history.

Considering Girona's difficulties this campaign, there's a substantial possibility that Mbappé will increase his remarkable goal count in Catalonia. Michel's squad currently sits in 18th position and possesses the league's poorest defensive statistics entering the next round of fixtures. They'll require a miracle against Madrid at Estadi Montilivi.

Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of the encounter.

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Girona vs. Real Madrid Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)

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Girona Team News

Girona's concerning form has been worsened by a series of injuries throughout Michel's roster. Keepers Juan Carlos and Vladyslav Krapyvtsov remain sidelined, while Daley Blind, Alejandro Francés and David López are all unavailable in defense.

Three players are missing from midfield with Ricard Artero joining Donny van de Beek and Thomas Lemar in the medical bay, while Portu is ruled out for the campaign following a recent ACL setback.

Michel seems unlikely to alter his lineup from last weekend's stalemate with Real Betis.

Girona Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid

Girona predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-1-4-1): Gazzaniga; Rincón, Martínez, Reis, Moreno; Witsel; Tsygankov, Martín, Ounahi, Gil; Vanat.

Real Madrid Team News

Madrid received multiple setbacks before their Greek journey, with Thibaut Courtois withdrawing from the squad due to illness and Dean Huijsen missing through injury. The goalkeeper should return against Girona, but Huijsen remains questionable having missed Friday's team training.

Antonio Rüdiger and Franco Mastantuono participated in Friday's pre-match sessions and might travel to Catalonia, while Éder Militão completed portions of the workout. David Alaba was restricted to individual indoor training, while Dani Carvajal was completely absent as he rehabilitates from a knee problem.

Jude Bellingham only appeared as a second-half replacement against Olympiacos due to a muscular concern, but he should rejoin the starting eleven on Sunday.

Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Girona

Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Girona (4-3-1-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Tchouaméni, Asencio, Carreras; Güler, Valverde, Camavinga; Bellingham; Mbappé, Vinícius.

Girona vs. Real Madrid Score Prediction

Madrid may not be at their finest but they're confronting the division's most porous defense and feature one of Europe's three hottest forwards alongside Harry Kane and Erling Haaland. With Bellingham returning to the squad and Vinicius Junior appearing sharp against Olympiacos, they should possess far too much offensive firepower for their opponents.

Girona will believe they can find the net against Los Blancos, particularly with defensive injuries still creating instability, but they appear destined for a fifth consecutive loss against Sunday's visitors.

Prediction: Girona 1–3 Real Madrid