Athletic Club is set to host Girona FC on February 8, 2025, at the iconic San Mamés stadium as both teams vie for important points in La Liga. With kick-off scheduled for 16:15 local time, the stage is set for what promises to be an intense clash on matchday 23 of the 2024-25 season.
Athletic Club currently sits fourth in the standings with 41 points, showcasing impressive form with seven wins and six draws from the last thirteen league matches since their last defeat to Girona. Under the management of Ernesto Valverde, Athletic has rebounded well, maintaining their unbeaten streak since October 2024, which has contributed to their push for European qualification. Despite exiting various cup competitions, the focus is now entirely on securing league points.
Meanwhile, Girona FC occupies seventh place with 31 points after struggling to find consistency this season. Managing to secure their first victory of 2025 against Las Palmas, Girona will aim to build on this momentum as they face Athletic. The Catalan side has faced adversity, having been knocked out of both the Copa del Rey and Champions League, which may allow them to focus solely on their league campaign where they aspire to compete for European spots.
The last encounter between these two teams saw Girona coming out on top with a 2-1 victory back in October, a match marred by missed penalties for Athletic. This defeat has been on the minds of the players as they prepare for this rematch, eager to avenge the earlier loss. Athletic's squad is now more formidable under Valverde, who is likely to field his strongest lineup. The Lions can count on players like Oihan Sancet and Alex Berenguer, who have been instrumental in scoring and creating goals this season.
Despite their recent triumph, Girona has been dealing with injuries and suspensions. They will be without their key forward, Arthur, who continues to serve his suspension, alongside other important players such as Bojan Miovski and Arnaut Danjuma. Their manager Míchel remains optimistic, stating, “We need to keep pushing forward, and every match presents us with opportunities to climb the table.”
Both teams come with impressive head-to-head records, particularly when it involves encounters at San Mamés. Athletic has historically performed well at home, but Girona has equally shown they can surprise, having won four of the last nine meetings between the two teams.
Athletic's last match resulted in a frustrating 2-2 draw against Real Betis, highlighting areas of both strengths and weaknesses. Valverde addressed team concerns saying, “We need to capitalize on our home advantage and make sure we solidify our position within the European spots.” This reflected the need for improvement, especially after failing to secure consistent wins recently.
For Girona, the recent victory provided hope amid their previous four-match losing streak. They will aim to disrupt Athletic's rhythm and exploit any defensive lapses. The manager indicated, “We know the challenge awaits us at San Mamés, but we believe we can unsettle them, just like we did previously.”
From the statistics, Athletic Club holds the upper hand, especially considering their home form. They have achieved six victories at home this season, which enhances their confidence heading to this fixture. The odds for Athletic to win sit at 1.72 with reputable bookmakers, reflecting their formidable status.
Key players to watch include Athletic's standout scorer, Alex Berenguer, and Girona's forward, Abel Ruiz, both of whom have shown the ability to change the game. Both coaches expect the match to be highly competitive, characterized by pressing and strategic play.
Coming down to predictions, many analysts lean toward Athletic Bilbao as the favorites to win this encounter, considering both recent forms and historical results. Nonetheless, Girona's determination to improve their league standing may prove to be the catalyst for delivering yet another memorable match.
With the match just around the corner, fans eagerly anticipate how this clash will shape the La Liga standings, as both teams vie for points and pride!