Match Information
Match Overview
This Regular Season Round 38 encounter at Estadio Municipal de Montilivi represents a crucial relegation battle between two sides fighting to maintain their La Liga status. Girona currently sit 18th in the table, one position below Elche who occupy 17th, making this a potential six-pointer in the fight against the drop as the season reaches its climax.
The most significant factor heading into this match is the contrasting recent form between the two sides, which could prove decisive in determining who gains the psychological and mathematical advantage in their survival bid. Girona enter this fixture in concerning form, having failed to win any of their last five La Liga matches. Their recent sequence shows one draw and four defeats, including a narrow 1-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on May 17 and a disappointing home defeat to Mallorca on May 1. This poor run has coincided with their slide toward the relegation zone, and Michel's side desperately need to arrest this decline to avoid dropping further down the table.
In stark contrast, Elche arrive at Montilivi with renewed confidence following their vital 1-0 home victory over Getafe on May 17. This win was crucial for Eder Sarabia's team, as it demonstrated their ability to secure results when the pressure is at its highest. While their form prior to this victory was mixed, including defeats to Real Betis and Celta Vigo, the psychological boost from defeating Getafe cannot be understated in the context of a relegation scrap.
Neither side reports any injury concerns for this fixture, meaning both Michel and Eder Sarabia have their full squads available for selection. This could prove particularly beneficial for Girona, who will need all their attacking options available as they seek to break their goal drought and climb away from the relegation zone.
You can find a more detailed breakdown in our read the complete preview.
With the season entering its final stages, this match represents a pivotal moment for both clubs' top-flight aspirations.
Predicted Lineups
Girona
Paulo Gazzaniga; Arnau Martínez, Alejandro Francés, Vitor Reis, Álex Moreno; Axel Witsel, Iván Martín; Bryan Gil, Azzedine Ounahi, Joel Roca; Viktor Tsygankov
Elche
M. Dituro; V. Chust, D. Affengruber, P. Bigas; Tete Morente, G. Diangana, M. Aguado, G. Villar, G. Valera; Andre Silva, A. Rodriguez
Team Form Analysis
Girona
League Position: 18Girona Form Analysis
Girona's recent form makes for concerning reading as they approach this crucial relegation battle. Their winless streak extends across their last five La Liga fixtures, accumulating just two points from a possible fifteen. The sequence began with a 2-1 defeat at Valencia on April 25, followed by a disappointing home loss to Mallorca on May 1 that highlighted their struggles in front of their own supporters.
The draws against Rayo Vallecano on May 11 and Real Sociedad on May 14 offered brief hope, but Michel's side failed to capitalize on these opportunities to build momentum. Their most recent outing, a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on May 17, demonstrated their ongoing difficulties in converting defensive resilience into positive results.
Defensively, Girona have shown some organization, particularly in their draws where they managed to limit their opponents to single goals. However, their attacking output has been severely lacking, with the team struggling to create clear-cut chances and convert opportunities when they arise. The inability to score consistently has been their primary downfall during this poor run.
Against quality opposition like Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad, Girona have competed respectably but lacked the cutting edge required to secure victories. This pattern suggests the team possesses the foundation to compete at this level but desperately needs to rediscover their attacking threat to climb away from danger.
Elche
League Position: 17Elche Form Analysis
Elche's recent trajectory shows signs of improvement at the most crucial juncture of the season. Their 1-0 victory over Getafe on May 17 provided a much-needed boost after a challenging period that included defeats to Real Betis and Celta Vigo. This victory demonstrated Eder Sarabia's team's ability to grind out results when the stakes are highest, a quality that could prove invaluable in their relegation fight.
Prior to their recent win, Elche had endured a mixed run of results, including a 2-1 defeat at Real Betis on May 12 and a comprehensive 3-1 loss to Celta Vigo on May 3. However, their ability to secure positive results, such as the 1-1 draw with Alaves on May 9 and the impressive 2-1 away victory at Oviedo on April 26, suggests resilience within the squad.
Elche's attacking approach has shown more consistency than their opponents, with Andre Silva and A. Rodriguez providing a focal point in their 3-5-2 formation. Their wing-back system allows for width in attack while maintaining defensive stability, which has served them well in recent fixtures.
The psychological impact of their victory over Getafe cannot be understated, as it demonstrated their capacity to perform under pressure. This mental strength, combined with their tactical flexibility under Sarabia's guidance, positions them favorably for this crucial encounter. Their recent form suggests a team finding its rhythm at precisely the right moment in the season.
Head-to-Head
Girona
Elche
Recent Meetings
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12-07 | Elche | 3 - 0 | Girona |
| 2024-01-06 | Elche | 0 - 2 | Girona |
| 2023-04-16 | Girona | 2 - 0 | Elche |
| 2022-11-08 | Elche | 1 - 2 | Girona |
| 2020-08-23 | Girona | 0 - 1 | Elche |
| 2020-08-20 | Elche | 0 - 0 | Girona |
| 2020-06-19 | Elche | 1 - 0 | Girona |
| 2019-10-12 | Girona | 0 - 2 | Elche |
| 2017-01-27 | Elche | 1 - 0 | Girona |
| 2016-08-27 | Girona | 3 - 1 | Elche |
Memorable Matches
The recent history between Girona and Elche has produced several compelling encounters that highlight the competitive nature of their rivalry. The most recent meeting on December 7, 2025, saw Elche secure a comprehensive 3-0 victory, demonstrating their ability to dominate this fixture when their attacking play clicks into gear. This result would have provided significant confidence to Sarabia's squad heading into future encounters.
However, Girona have also enjoyed memorable victories in this matchup, particularly their 2-0 triumph on April 16, 2023, which showcased their capability to control proceedings at home. The November 8, 2022 meeting produced an entertaining 2-1 victory for Girona, suggesting these teams often produce closely contested affairs with narrow margins deciding the outcome.
The historical pattern reveals a relatively balanced rivalry, with both sides capable of securing victories depending on their respective form and circumstances. The 2020 encounters were particularly notable for their varied outcomes, including a goalless draw and narrow victories for both teams, emphasizing how evenly matched these sides can be. These previous meetings suggest that tactical preparation and mental approach often prove decisive in determining the winner, making the current context of their league positions all the more significant for this upcoming encounter.
Venue Factor
Estadio Municipal de Montilivi has historically provided Girona with a platform to compete effectively against visiting teams, though their recent home form has been inconsistent. The intimate atmosphere generated by the Girona faithful creates a challenging environment for away teams, particularly in high-stakes encounters where every point carries significant weight in the relegation battle.
Girona's recent home performances have been mixed, with their May 14 draw against Real Sociedad showing their ability to compete with quality opposition in familiar surroundings, while the defeat to Mallorca on May 1 highlighted their vulnerability even with home advantage. The venue's compact nature typically allows the home crowd to create an intimidating atmosphere that can lift the team during crucial moments.
For Elche, traveling to Montilivi presents both challenges and opportunities. While playing away from home removes the comfort of familiar surroundings, it also eliminates the pressure that can sometimes accompany home fixtures in relegation battles. Their recent away form has shown character, particularly in their victory at Oviedo on April 26, which demonstrated their capability to secure results on the road.
The venue factor could prove particularly significant given both teams' league positions and the stakes involved. Girona will be desperate to use their home advantage to finally secure a victory and potentially leapfrog their opponents, while Elche will aim to maintain their recent positive momentum regardless of the hostile environment they face.
Injury Concerns
Girona
Elche
