La Liga: Can Girona Hang on to the Throne?

Girona vs Real Sociedad

The kings of La Liga are facing an impending threat from the mighty Real Madrid, who are just one point behind in the league table with a game in hand. But at this point in the season, it’s well established that Michel’s Girona are no pushovers and have a legitimate chance at the title this season even with a club like Real Madrid breathing down their necks.

Meanwhile, a Kubo-less Real Sociedad have only garnered six points in their last five matches, making them the SBOTOP La Liga 2024 odds underdogs coming into this match.

Sociedad boast a convincing streak of European football qualifications, but with the way they’ve trended in the past few weeks, their run in Euros might end by the time the season is done and dusted.

Talking Points

Real Madrid’s impending threat in the standings

After Girona’s 0-1 victory against Celta Vigo, the Gironistes remain the kings of La Liga coming into Matchday 2023.

They cling to the summit of the league standings, just one point clear of second-placed Real Madrid. But even though the race for the title has gotten convincing for Girona and the Los Blancos, it’s not just a two-horse race in any sense.

Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are tied with 47 points, and both still pose a convincing title run. The recent La Liga 2024 news that Barca manager Xavi is leaving Camp Nou by the end of the season could be the X factor for Barcelona to muster up a tail-end resurgence, so SBOTOP football fans should pay close attention to the Culés.

For now, only time will tell if Míchel’s outfit can sustain their success in one of the most cutthroat top flights in the football world.

To be fair, the recently promoted Girona have shown world-class form since the start of the 2023–24 season, so their top status in La Liga is no fluke.

Real Sociedad hanging on to European qualification

After winning just one out of their last five top-flight matches, Sociedad find themselves hanging on by a thread to the sixth spot in the table. Sociedad have been a capable club and have been able to qualify for European competition for four years straight.

But the tepid results in their past few matchdays have tested their eligibility for European contests next term. With Real Betis and Valencia breathing down their necks, Imanol Alguacil and his outfit are in dire need of quality points moving forward if they want to extend their impressive streak in the Spanish top flight.

It doesn’t help their case that their star midfielder, Takefusa Kubo, still won’t be available for La Liga competition due to his participation in the AFC Asian Cup, where his Samurai Blue continued their campaign, qualifying to the quarterfinals after cruising past Bahrain in the Round of 16.

Also, Sociedad’s stacked schedule will surely affect their La Liga performances as they juggle the UEFA Champions League, Copa del Rey, and La Liga simultaneously.

Although they have somewhat of a consolation in the top flight, given that after their bout with Atletico, they’ll face Osasuna, Mallorca, and Villarreal, who are all having a losing season.

History

Due to Girona’s back and forth in the top flight and Segunda Division, these Spanish outfits have only faced each other 11 times since 2008. Among them, Sociedad have won three times, while Girona have only one win to boast.

Despite a disparity in form in the past seasons, Girona and Real Sociedad have tallied seven draws since 2011, which is something punters should keep in mind when looking at the betting lines for this match.

Their last matchup was at Anoeta Stadium, where Takefusa Kubo and Artem Dovbyk scored one goal each, ending the game in a 1-1 draw.

This time around, Dovbyk is tied with Jude Bellingham and Getafe’s Borja Mayoral in the La Liga Golden Boot race with 14 goals, while Kubo is still out on international duties with Japan.

Betting Tip 

Historically speaking, their matches end with a draw more often than not, but due to Girona’s meteoric rise with head coach Michel, a price of 2.21 to win is definitely a value line.

I personally wouldn’t be surprised if punters would consider the draw price at 3.07, given that these outfits ended with a draw in seven of their last 11 clashes.

In all fairness, Real Sociedad are still very capable and impose a significant threat against any team in the top flight, and to come into the match as underdogs with a price of 3.08 to win is also a strong choice.

Another line to consider is total goals over 2.5 at 2.06. As mentioned above, Artem Dovbyk is a goal-scoring machine this season, and let’s not forget that their reliable veteran, Cristhian Stuani, can also rack up goals on a nightly basis.

Girona boast the most potent offence in the entire top flight, with a total goal tally of 52, and Sociedad have some marksmen in their arsenal as well.

 

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