La Liga: Can Girona Continue Inspiring Run in 2024?

Girona vs Atletico Madrid

It’s the start of the second half of the La Liga season, and all 20 top-flight teams aim for a successful conclusion to their 2023–24 campaign.

Girona are keen on keeping their form intact in 2024, as they’ve already passed their early-season goals with flying colours. Now, they aim to maintain their standing and complete their Champions League dreams.

Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s already stacked outfit is trying to bolster their wings with a sneaky attempt to snag a former Premier League star under Barcelona’s nose. The winter transfer window is on the horizon, and Atleti hope to make moves to get them back to the peak of the La Liga summit.

Talking Points

Atleti join the Mason Greenwood sweepstakes

Mason Greenwood, the former Manchester United core, found a home in the Spanish top flight, where he’s showing why the Red Devils were grooming him to be the next big thing at Old Trafford before his domestic charges.

The 22-year-old was loaned to Getafe, and the former Premier League player immediately went on a revenge arc in La Liga. He has scored five goals and dished out four assists for Getafe this campaign, putting the spotlight on the striker-turned-winger.

The Catalans’ interest in the rising star gained momentum as Barcelona were willing to hand Greenwood their No. 10 shirt, an iconic periapt worn by the likes of Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho.

Barca were looking like they were unrivaled in getting Haywood’s signature, or so we thought.

Headlining one of the first La Liga 2024 news stories, Diego Simeone and his club have joined the race to get the talented winger. It was reported that the Atletico boss has been impressed with Greenwood’s adaptation to the Spanish top flight and is keen on signing the 22-year-old.

Also, the Atletico players are well aware of Mason Greenwood’s talents and are surely excited by the thought of playing with the Englishman. In fact, during their La Liga tie last month, the tip of the spear for Atletico, Antoine Griezmann, had nothing but praise for the winger.

“Mason Greenwood was really causing us problems in the second half,” Antoine Griezmann said to the media after their match. “We couldn’t stop him and it cost us the game.”

Job’s not done for Girona

Entering this season, Girona’s main objective was to develop as a team and try their best to avoid relegation. After the winter break, it is safe to say that Míchel and his boys have more than passed their targets and are now aiming for the Champions League!

They start the calendar year in the upper echelon of La Liga, enjoying the second spot in the standings, and are level with Real Madrid with 45 points. The Gironistes’ Cinderella run won’t seem to stop, and it’s about time to consider them as one of the best teams in the Spanish top flight.

After their meteoric rise in 2023, Girona aren’t out of the woods just yet. All 20 teams in the top flight aim to have a good run in the second half of the season, and now Girona have a target on their backs.

It’s trial by fire for Girona to start their 2024 campaign, as they play host to the mighty Atletico Madrid, who are creeping up in the La Liga table with 38 points. They will have to brave the likes of Antione Griezmann and Alvaro Morata to keep Atletico at bay, but as they’ve done in the first half of the season, Girona refuse to back down against any team in the top flight.

History

Atletico Madrid have dominated their matchups against Girona since 2017, having been unbeaten in their eight total head-to-heads. In their previous eight clashes, the Madrid club has won three and tallied five draws. Meanwhile, Girona have yet to come out as the victors against Atleti, but their upcoming La Liga bout will arguably be their best chance to snag three points against Simeone’s side.

The last time these two sides met, Girona’s defence made it a compelling match, where both sides failed to find the back of the net after 90 minutes of play. It was not until Alvaro Morata’s added-time goal that sealed Atleti’s win, but if this match is a preview of what their future matchups will be, then SBOTOP football fans are in for a treat when the boys from Madrid visit Estadi Montilivi.

Betting Tip

Given where they are right now in the league standings, the La Liga 2024 betting odds have these teams closely priced, where Girona are the slight favourites at 2.44, while Atletico Madrid are the slim underdogs at 2.56 and are 3.32 to draw.

Personally, I would go with Girona at 2.44 given their impressive form throughout the season thus far, and they’re certainly up for a stellar start to the calendar year as well. But it’s really a toss of a coin when going up against Atletico and their stacked roster.

To go with Diego Simeone’s outfit at 2.56 isn’t surprising nor questionable, as both prices will keep punters on the edge of their seats. But given that it’s too close to tell who will come out as the victors, my betting tip is total goals over 2.75. Girona boast the most goals scored in the top flight, with 42 and counting, while Atletico are right there in the upper echelon with 36 goals and my prediction is that this match will end with a score line of 2-1. To have these clubs collectively score more than 2.75 goals is not a lofty feat to accomplish, as both outfits hold some of the best offence in the Spanish top flight.

 

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