Espanyol travel to Girona for a Catalan derby that could not contrast the teams’ fortunes more starkly.
The match at Estadi Montilivi on Friday, 26 September, sees Espanyol in the top four while Girona desperately search for their first win of the season. With nine recent head-to-heads producing drama and goals, this fixture is loaded with pressure and narrative—especially as Girona look to reverse their worst defensive start in years.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on Espanyol’s consistent attacking output and Girona’s defensive woes, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re especially confident in Espanyol to get a result, given their superior form and Girona’s vulnerability at the back.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espanyol or Draw (Double Chance) | Bet365 9/5 (35.7%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Girona winless, Espanyol only one loss. Hosts have worst defence in division. |
| Over 2.5 Goals | Betfair 6/4 (40.0%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Girona concede nearly 3 per game; Espanyol lively up front. Five of last 9 H2Hs hit 3+ goals. |
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Our approach: Start with Espanyol or Draw, add Over 2.5 Goals for accumulator potential.
Odds correct at the time of writing.
Season Form & Standings
2025/26 season to date.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Espanyol | 4 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 11 |
| Girona | 20 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 16 | -13 | 2 |
Girona’s win percentage: 0%. Espanyol’s win percentage: 50%.
Potential Match-Winners
Neither side boasts a league-leading scorer, but a handful of players could tip the balance:
- Vladyslav Vanat (Girona): Young striker, showing some promise but yet to ignite. If Girona are to score, the striker’s poaching instincts will be crucial.
- Javier Puado (Espanyol): A creative hub with 7 assists in 6 games. Puado’s movement and final ball have opened up defences all season.
- Bryan Gil (Girona): Direct wide man, strong at beating defenders and drawing fouls. Can spark attacks in transition.
- Roberto Fernández (Espanyol): A threat from set pieces and dangerous in the air, especially against a defence that has conceded 16 already.
Head-to-Head
Girona have edged the recent rivalry, winning four of the last nine meetings with Espanyol. The last two clashes saw Espanyol take points away from home, showing there’s little to separate them on derby day.
Last 5 Meetings
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 10/03/25 | Espanyol 1-1 Girona | LaLiga |
| 23/11/24 | Girona 4-1 Espanyol | LaLiga |
| 01/04/23 | Girona 2-1 Espanyol | LaLiga |
| 07/01/23 | Espanyol 2-2 Girona | LaLiga |
| 23/01/21 | Girona 1-0 Espnayol | LaLiga 2 |
Conclusion
Espanyol’s ability to create—and usually take—big chances, plus Girona’s leaky back line, sets this up as a derby where the visitors should avoid defeat and there’s a strong risk of a high-scoring contest. Will Girona finally break their duck, or will Espanyol’s sharper attack and better discipline make the difference? Our top pick is Espanyol or Draw at 9/5 (35.7%) with Bet365.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.