Real Madrid will play Girona at the Santiago Bernabéu on April 10 in Round 31 of La Liga. They know that the room for error is getting smaller as the season reaches its most important point. The hosts are in second place in the table with 69 points from 30 games, while Girona is in 12th place with 37 points from the same number of games. The first league game between the two teams this season ended in a tie, but Madrid has won four of the last five meetings, with the other game ending in a tie. Real Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabéu on April 10 for a La Liga meeting with Girona in Round 31, knowing the margin for error is shrinking as the season enters its decisive stretch. The hosts start the weekend second in the table with 69 points from 30 matches, while Girona arrive 12th with 37 points from the same number of games. The first league meeting between the sides this season finished 1-1, but Madrid have won four of the last five head-to-head meetings, with the other match ending in a draw.
Form is the most important thing for Madrid right now. Álvaro Arbeloa’s team lost 2-1 to Bayern Munich in the Champions League and hasn’t won in five games, including two in a row. The numbers still show that this team is dangerous, though: Madrid has scored in seven straight games and four straight home games, but they’ve also given up goals in their last three games at the Bernabéu. Girona, on the other hand, is going to the capital with a lot of energy after beating Villarreal 1-0 in their last league game.
Kylian Mbappé is still the main player and the most dangerous one. The French forward has scored 23 league goals this season, easily leading Madrid’s scoring charts. Vinícius Júnior has scored 11 goals, and Arda Güler has scored four from midfield. Vladyslav Vanat, who has nine league goals, is Girona’s biggest attacking threat. Madrid’s central defenders will need to keep an eye on him early on and stop him from getting the ball between the lines. Madrid should be able to control this game on paper by using their territory, tempo, and the skill of their front two players.
The predicted Real Madrid lineups feature an aggressive setup to keep the pressure. The predicted Real Madrid XI is Lunin; Carvajal, Asensio, Militão, and Fran García; Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, and Güler; Mbappé; and Vinícius Júnior. That lineup would give Madrid speed on the outside, strength in the middle, and enough skill to stretch Girona both when they are moving and when they are near the penalty area.
Girona’s main goal will be to survive the early waves and stay close together for extended periods. Gazzaniga, Arnau, Vitor Reis, Blind, Álex Moreno, Tsygankov, Beltrán, Witsel, Iván Martín, Ounahi, and Vanat are all likely to be in their lineup. But Madrid has 64 league goals to Girona’s 32, and their goal difference is +36 compared to Girona’s -12. This means that if they move the ball quickly and finish with confidence, they should have better chances.
