Girona vs Real Sociedad Prediction: More late Stuani heroics for Michel’s men

Without a win in their last five games (D2, L3), losing three of their last four, Girona have been dragged into La Liga’s relegation zone with less than two weeks of the season remaining. On Thursday (19:00 BST, La Liga TV), they host Copa del Rey champions Real Sociedad, who haven’t won a league match since 4 April.

Below are my Girona vs Real Sociedad predictions, alongside all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of this midweek meeting at the Estadio Municipal de Montilivi.

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Team News

Vladyslav Vanat, Marc-Andre ter Stegen (both hamstring), Donny van de Beek (Achilles), Juan Carlos and Portu (both knee) are all out injured for Girona, but Bryan Gil is free to return after serving his one-match suspension in Monday’s 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano.

Football Odds

Orri Oskarsson, who started Real Sociedad’s comeback in last Saturday’s 2-2 home draw with Real Betis, is banned on Thursday after picking up his fifth yellow card of the league campaign.

Long-term absentee Alvaro Odriozola (knee) remains confined to the treatment room, while Jon Karrikaburu (ankle), Goncalo Guedes (toe), Inaki Ruperez (knee) and Igor Zubeldia (muscle) are all major doubts after missing recent games.

However, Jon Aramburu is set to return to the starting XI after serving a one-match suspension last weekend.

Girona vs Real Sociedad Odds

Girona are 1/1, or a 50% chance, to secure a first victory since 6 April, while Real Sociedad are 12/5 (29.4%) to end their own long wait for a win, with the draw priced at 11/4.

Betfred’s Price Boosts include Real Sociedad to Win or Draw, Mikel Oyarzabal to Score & 3+ Goals at 9/2 (was 7/2).

Last Goalscorer - Cristhian Stuani (GIR) @ 4/1

At 39 years old, Girona striker Cristhian Stuani is rarely trusted to start games; in fact, 17 of his 18 La Liga appearances this season have come from the bench.

The Uruguayan has still made a significant contribution, though, netting four times, and his 90th-minute equaliser at Rayo on Monday could prove to be a vital goal in Girona’s quest to avoid relegation.

Today's Football Fixtures

Unsurprisingly, three of Stuani’s four league goals this season have come in the 90th minute or later, with two of those the last of the game.

I expect him to come off the bench again on Thursday if Girona need a goal, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him save the day again for Michel’s men.

Player to Receive a Card - Jon Aramburu (RSO) @ 9/5

Arambaru has already served two suspensions this season, the latest last weekend, and I’m tipping him to come steaming back into the starting XI on Thursday with another card.

The 23-year-old has received 10 yellow cards in 32 league appearances (29 starts) this term, and only Alaves midfielder Antonio Blanco (65) has committed more fouls in La Liga than the Venezuela international (63), who is averaging 2.2 per 90.

Aramburu made six fouls in Girona’s 2-1 victory over La Real in San Sebastian last December, earning a yellow in the 74th minute for an offence against Gil, who was fouled five times in total, the same number as teammate Azzedine Ounahi.

Both Gil and Ounahi do most of their work on the left-hand side of Girona’s attack, and if both start on Thursday, it could be another long night for Aramburu.