Fresh from holding Barcelona to a draw at Camp Nou, Girona will look to continue their ascent of the La Liga table when they host relegation-doomed Elche on Sunday afternoon.
Girona have climbed to 11th thanks to a three-game unbeaten run, while Elche remain 14 points adrift at the foot of the standings with a measly two wins to their name.
Match preview
© Reuters
Barcelona had claimed 11 victories in 12 home league matches before Girona visited Camp Nou on Monday, so Xavi's side were expected to notch another comfortable win and extend their lead at the summit.
Unsurprisingly, Girona were starved of possession, while the visitors failed to register a single attempt on target throughout the contest, but Michel's men managed to weather the storm and hold Barca to a goalless draw.
Thanks to that result, Girona head into Sunday's clash on a three-match unbeaten streak, having held Rayo Vallecano to a 2-2 draw before claiming a 2-1 victory over Espanyol.
The Catalan outfit have enjoyed plenty of success on home soil in recent times, winning three of their last four games at Estadi Montilivi, with two defeats coming in their previous 10 home league games.
Given that only six teams have picked up more home points than Girona this season, Michel's men will be confident of heaping more misery on lowly Elche, who are already planning for life in the second tier.
© Reuters
Indeed, Elche have only managed to win two of their 28 La Liga matches this season, recording seven draws and 19 losses along the way.
After going 19 games without a win throughout the first half of the campaign, Los Franjiverdes finally claimed their first victory in February before doubling their win tally with a surprise triumph over Mallorca last month.
Since then, however, Elche have taken one point from a possible 12, with a draw against Real Valladolid preceding defeats to Real Sociedad, Barcelona and Osasuna.
Remarkably, Sebastian Beccacece is the club's fourth permanent manager this term, as Francisco, Jorge Almiron and Pablo Machin all tried – and failed – to lift Elche off the bottom of the table.
Sitting 16 points from safety with 10 games remaining, Elche's relegation is destined to be confirmed in the not-too-distant future, and a trip to Estadi Montilivi is unlikely to delay the inevitable.
Team News
© Reuters
Reinier Jesus is still suspended for Girona, meaning that Ivan Martin and Borja Garcia will continue to occupy the attacking midfield roles, with Valentin Castellanos leading the line.
Girona will also be without the injured quartet of Alexander Callens, Ibrahimi Kebe, Yangel Herrera and Joel Roca on Sunday.
With three goals and three assists to his name this season, Ukrainian winger Viktor Tsygankov will fancy his chance of exploiting Elche's leaky backline.
As for the visitors, Jony Alamo remains sidelined due to a knee problem, while Jose Angel Carmona and Randy Nteka are both absent with muscle injuries.
Lucas Boye will continue to lead the line for Elche, having chalked up three goals and four assists this term, with Pere Milla and Tete Morente expected to operate on the wings.
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Martinez, Bueno, Lopez, Hernandez; Romeu; Tsygankov, Martin, Garcia, Villa; Castellanos
Elche possible starting lineup:
Badia; Palacios, Mascarell, Bigas, Clerc; Gumbau, Nwankwo, Fidel; Milla, Boye, Morente
We say: Girona 2-0 Elche
Following Monday's performance at Camp Nou, we expect in-form Girona to make light work of struggling Elche, with the hosts preventing the visitors from finding the back of the net.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
