The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a 3-2 Copa del Rey defeat to Real Madrid in the mid-week, while Girona got the better of struggling Sevilla 2-1 in the Spanish top flight last Saturday.
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Villarreal will be aiming to get back to winning ways in the La Liga when they host Giroa at El Madrigal on Sunday afternoon. The hosts are heading into the match on the back of a 3-2 Copa del Rey defeat to Real Madrid in the mid-week, while Girona got the better of struggling Sevilla 2-1 in the Spanish top flight last Saturday. The victory helped the visitors to move to 11th spot in the Spanish top tier standings, having collected 21 points from 17 matches, while the Yellow Submarine are sitting at the fifth position, with 28 points to their name, three adrift of fourth-placed Atletico Madrid, who have played 18 games.
🎙️ Así analiza @QSetien al @GironaFC, rival del Villarreal este domingo en el #EstadioDeLaCerámica (14.00 horas). #VillarrealGirona pic.twitter.com/1DNL1S1XuJ
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) January 21, 2023
Villarreal were well on course to reach the quarter-finals of the cup competition on Tuesday night, as they took a two goal lead in the first half, courtesy of strikes from Etienne Capou and Samuel Chukwueze. However, La Blancos came out all guns blazing in the second half and found the back of the net three times through Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao and Dani Ceballos. The Yellow Submarine did beat Real Madrid in the league earlier this month, but they were held to a 1-1 draw by Celta vigo in their last match in Spain’s top flight. Quique Setien’s side have recorded eight wins, four draws and five defeats in the league thus far.
Girona, on the other hand, are undefeated in their last seven La Liga games, and that includes a 1-1 draw away to the reigning champions Real Madrid. Last time out, the White and Reds came from behind to earn three points against Sevilla. Christian Stunai canceled out Tanguay Nianzou’s opener before Yanhel Herrera netted a late winner to secure the win for Blanquivermells. It was their fifth league-win of the campaign. The White and Reds secured a return to La Liga through the Segunda Division playoffs last term, and they have fared well amongst the big guns thus far.
Villarreal’s injury list consists of Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolas Jackson, Alfinso Pedraza and Kiko Femenia. Veteran Pepe Reina should occupy the goal, with Foyth, Mandi, Torres and Mojica forming the four-man defence in front of him. Moreno, who provided two assists in the last outing against Los Blancos should lead the line, with Chukwueze and Morales occupying the flanks. As for Girona, Juanpe, Reinier, Javi Hernandez and Davi Lopez are occupying the treatment room, while Ibrahima Kebe is doubtful because of a knee problem. Herrera, who scored a late winner against Sevilla last Saturday is pushing for a place in the starting eleven.
Villarreal Probable line-up: Reina, Foyth, Mandi, Torres, Mojica, Coquelin, Parejo, Chukwueze, Baena, Morales, G Moreno
Girona probable line-up: Gazzaniga, Martinez, Bueno, Espinosa, Gutierrez, Villa, A Garcia, Romeu, Herrera, Couto, Castellanos
Villarreal
| Opponents | Score |
| Real Madrid | 2-3 (L) |
| Celta Vigo | 1-1 (D) |
| Real Madrid | 2-1 (W) |
| FA Cartegana | 1-5 (W) |
| Valencia | 2-1 (W) |
Girona
| Opponents | Score |
| Sevilla | 2-1 (W) |
| Espanyol | 2-2 (D) |
| Rayo Vallecano | 2-2 (D) |
| Cacereno | 2-1 (L) |
| Manchester City | 2-0 (L) |
| Last 5 match-results | Score |
| Villarreal beat Girona | 0-1 |
| Villarreal beat Girona | 0-3 |
| Villarreal beat Girona | 0-1 |
| Girona beat Villarreal | 0-1 |
| Girona beat Villarreal | 0-2 |
The La Liga match between Villarreal and Girona will take place at El Madrigal on Sunday at 6:30 pm IST.
| Villarreal vs Girona | Key Details |
| Date | January 22 |
| Venue | El Madrigal |
| Kickoff time in Spain | 2:00 pm |
| Kickoff time in India | 6:30 pm |
The live telecast of the La Liga matches in India is available on the Sports 18 network. Fans will also be able to watch the match on Jio TV. Besides, the match between Villarreal and Girona can also be seen on Movistar + and Movistar La Liga in Spain.
