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Girona (2 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) welcomes Barcelona (4-0-0) for a clash of top La Liga sides Sunday. Kickoff from Estadi Montilivi is set for 10:15 a.m. ET. Below, we preview BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Girona vs. Barcelona odds, and make our best soccer bets, picks and predictions.
Barcelona has been perfect to start the season. It is 2-0-0 at home and 2-0-0 on the road. So far this season, Barcelona is averaging 3.25 goals per game (13 in total) while allowing just 0.75 (3). Barcelona is led by F Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 4 goals in 4 matches. It won 7-0 in its last match, a home battle with Valladolid on Aug. 31. Every other match for Barcelona has resulted in a 2-1 win.
Girona has arguably exceeded expectations throughout the 1st several games. It has tallied 7 goals (1.75 per game) and allowed 4 (1.00 per game). It has been led offensively by 24-year-old F Abel Ruiz, who has tallied 2 goals in 4 matches. Girona most high-profile game so far this season came on the road on Aug. 25 in a 3-0 loss against Atletico Madrid. It did bounce back and is coming off a 2-0 road win over Sevilla on Sept. 1.
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Girona vs. Barcelona odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook (OR FanDuel Sportsbook); access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 9:34 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Girona +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Barcelona -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Draw +300 (bet $100 to win $300)
- Over/Under: 3.5 (O: +110 | U: -155)
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Girona vs. Barcelona picks and predictions
Prediction
Barcelona 2, Girona 1
Moneyline (ML)
BET BARCELONA (-125).
Girona was destroyed in its lone match against a high-caliber opponent. Although that was on the road and it is 1-0-0 at home, it will be taking on the most talented team in La Liga and may struggle to keep pace. Girona will also be gearing up for a road Champions League match against French powerhouse PSG, so that looming could make for a disappointing Sunday showing.
Girona beat Barcelona at home 4-2 last year but had 1.2 fewer expected goals. Barcelona ended last season with 11 wins in 19 road matches and should have a better roster this season. Barcelona has dominated opponents with at least 0.8 more expected goals in all 4 matches.
Expect it to continue that Sunday and take BARCELONA (-125).
Over/Under (O/U)
BET UNDER 3.5 (-155).
Barcelona has gone Under this total in 3 of its 4 games this season and has an inflated goal total due to throttled Valladolid in its last match. It has had all its other matches end 2-1 and has yet to allow more than 1.0 expected goals. It has allowed 0.5 expected goals or fewer in 2 straight games.
Girona doesn’t have as many playmakers and has held 2 straight opponents without a goal. It has yet to allow more than 1.4 expected goals and scored 0 or 1 in 2 of 4 games against far weaker defenses than Barcelona will have.
Put it all together and back UNDER 3.5 (-165).
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