Girona will welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Montilivi Stadium on Friday evening in what will be the opening game of the new 2025/26 La Liga season.
The hosts will want to improve on their 16th-placed finish from the previous campaign.
Meanwhile, the visitors enjoyed a great season by qualifying for European football, with their eighth-placed finish enough to book them a place in the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) play-offs. Nonetheless, we are expecting an entertaining affair when both teams face off against each other in this campaign's curtain-raiser.
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Key stats
- Girona only won one of their last four games in La Liga last season.
- Rayo are unbeaten in five La Liga matches dating back to the previous campaign.
- Both teams have scored in three of the last five H2Hs.
Correct score prediction: Girona 1-1 Rayo Vallecano
Given the pattern shown in recent meetings, we are not expecting too many goals here between Girona and Rayo Vallecano. Both teams had a fairly mixed pre-season in the lead-up to the match, so perhaps they will use it just to try and figure each other out.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Girona installed as favourites by bookmakers
- HOME: 13/10 (2.30) – 43.5%
- DRAW: 9/4 (3.25) – 30.8%
- AWAY: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
As shown by the implied probabilities, Girona have been installed as favourites to claim all three points back in front of their home fans. Interestingly, a draw and a Rayo victory away from home are rated at very similar percentages.
For more from the upcoming matches in Europe, today’s football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Mixed bag
The last three H2Hs have produced a mixed bag in terms of results, with both teams winning one each and there being one draw. Rayo won 2-1 on home soil in their previous meeting in La Liga back in January.
Spain La Liga 26/01/25
Rayo Vallecano
Girona
Spain La Liga 25/09/24
Girona
Rayo Vallecano
Spain La Liga 26/02/24
Girona
Rayo Vallecano
Spain Copa del Rey 17/01/24
Girona
Rayo Vallecano
Spain La Liga 11/11/23
Rayo Vallecano
Girona
Girona preview: Gutierrez unlikely to play part
Girona are expected to be without Miguel Gutierrez, who is expected to move to reigning Serie A champions Napoli before the summer transfer window closes. Both Abel Ruiz and Donny van de Beek are also out injured for the hosts.
Predicted Lineup: Gazzaniga (GK), Blind, Krejci, Reis, A. Martinez, Herrera, Martin, Asprilla, Roca, Stuani & Tsygankov
Spain La Liga 13/05/25
W
Valladolid
0
Girona
1
Spain La Liga 10/05/25
L
Villarreal
1
Girona
0
Spain La Liga 05/05/25
W
Mallorca
0
Girona
1
Spain La Liga 24/04/25
D
Leganes
1
Girona
1
Spain La Liga 21/04/25
L
Real Betis
3
Girona
1
Abdul Mumin is the only player expected to miss out for Rayo with a long-term injury. Otherwise, the visitors have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Predicted Lineup: Batalla (GK), Chavarria, Felipe, Lejeune, Balliu, U. Lopez, Ciss, A. Garcia, Isi, De Frutos & Nteka
Spain La Liga 09/05/25
W
Las Palmas
0
Rayo Vallecano
1
Spain La Liga 02/05/25
W
Getafe
0
Rayo Vallecano
1
Spain La Liga 24/04/25
L
Atletico Madrid
3
Rayo Vallecano
0
Spain La Liga 19/04/25
D
Valencia
1
Rayo Vallecano
1
Spain La Liga 13/04/25
L
Athletic Bilbao
3
Rayo Vallecano
1
Player to watch: Isi Palazon
In what is likely to be a loud atmosphere in Girona's first game of the season on home soil, Rayo will look to Isi Palazon to grab the ball and try and control the tempo in the middle of the park. The attacking midfield player notched up a handy four goals and four assists in La Liga last season, and will be hoping to better his total in the upcoming campaign.