Preview: Girona vs Tenerife – prediction, team news, line-ups

Girona and Tenerife line up in the first leg of the Segunda Division playoff finals on Saturday to get one step closer to returning to La Liga.

Both teams recorded away wins in the second legs of their respective semi-finals, which means that both sides go into the game at the Estadi Montilivi with confidence.

game preview

©Reuters

With Girona and Tenerife finishing fifth and sixth, it was clear that both sides were lucky to be in contention at the end of the season.

After failing to win their respective games on the final day, they still took their chance to the full.

All in all, Girona were the clear underdogs going into the playoffs after losing four of their last eight games of the season.

MichaelThe s team were on the way out when they trailed Eibar 1-0 at home after the first leg, but made a good comeback in the second leg.

To Borja Garcia had equalized the tie in the first minute, Cristian Stuani followed in the first 60 seconds of extra time and led his side to a 2-0 win that night.

Tenerife had finished just ahead of Girona in the final standings but three straight defeats to close out the season meant they were less than confident ahead of their doubles game against Las Palmas.

However, Luis Miguel Ramís saw his side in both games, a 1-0 home win followed by a 2-1 away triumph and at half-time in the second leg they were 3-0 up on aggregate.

Although goals haven’t been either side’s strong suit lately, it’s a delicious encounter between a Girona side who last played in La Liga in 2019 and Tenerife who haven’t played in the top flight since 2010.

The two teams last met on May 9th, a half-time goal Mario Gonzales on that occasion Tenerife won 1-0 away.

Form of the Girona Segunda division:

Tenerife Segunda division form:

Team News

Garcia is a major fitness doubt for Girona as he left the pitch injured at half-time in the second leg against Eibar.

Aleix Garcia stands ready to replace the central midfielder if needed and that could turn out to be the only change Michel has made.

However, Stuani’s goal in extra time means he could return instead of Nahuel Bustos In the middle of the attack.

Barring unforeseen injury troubles, Ramis is unlikely to tinker with the side that ultimately got past Las Palmas.

Enric Gallego hopes to build on his return in this game after ending a nearly three-month wait to score with a first-half brace.

Girona possible starting line-up:
Juan Carlos; Martinez, Bueno, Espinosa, Juanpe, Fernández; Martin, Lozano, A. Garcia, Baena; bustos

Tenerife possible starting line-up:
soriano; Moore, S. Gonzalez, Leon, Mellot; Mollejo, Corredera, Sanz, Bermejo; Gallego, M. Gonzalez

We say: Girona – Tenerife 1:1

Rather than looking at league positions, we can only judge these teams based on their playoff performances, leading us to believe this should be a quality encounter. Both teams would probably accept a draw ahead of the second leg, and a stalemate with few goals seems the most likely outcome.

For a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, goal scores and more for this game, please click here.

Email previews