Girona continue their surprising quest for a potentially legendary La Liga title when they host Atletico Madrid in Catalonia on Wednesday.
Real Madrid are top of the La Liga table as the calendar turns to 2024, but Girona are level on points with Los Blancos and have a real chance of claiming the crown.
Atletico Madrid sit third, but are seven points behind in what so far appears to be a two-horse race. Diego Simeone's side are level on points with Barcelona but ahead on goal differential, and will be hoping to spring a surprise here to solidify their position and put Barca further into debt.
Additionally, there are two Golden Boot contenders in this match who will be hoping to find the net. Artem Dovbyk leads Girona's entertaining title charge with 11 goals, two behind championship leader Jude Bellingham. Level with Dovbyk is Antoine Griezmann, who has had a prolific and low-key 2023.
Girona vs Atletico Madrid predictions, odds
- Skinny moneyline: Girona (+155)
- Score prediction: Girona 3-1 Atlético Madrid
Girona are a force to be reckoned with, and it's time everyone starts respecting their legitimacy in the La Liga title race. Atletico Madrid simply have too many flaws to manage a road encounter with a team as in-form as Girona.
Atleti gave up 19 shots at Almeria in mid-December, then an outrageous 29 shots at home to Getafe in a crazy 3-3 draw. They stifled a Sevilla side in decline last time out, but even then brought down a man with 20 minutes to go. Diego Simeone's defensive grip on La Liga is diminishing and Girona are well placed to take advantage.
| DraftKings (UNITED STATES) | |
|---|---|
| Girona wins | +150 |
| Draw | +235 |
| Atletico Madrid win | +165 |
| Both teams score Y/N | -195 / +155 |
| Over/Under 2.5 goals | -155 / +115 |
Girona vs Atletico Madrid Match Facts
- Date: Wednesday January 3
- Kick-off time: 8:30 p.m. local (3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT)
- Location: Estadi Montilvivi (Girona, Spain)
- Official: Alejandro José Hernández
- Last meeting: Girona 0-1 Atletico Madrid (March 13, 2023 | La Liga)
MORE: Can Girona win La Liga title? A look at the odds and how they can achieve the incredible
Girona vs Atlético Madrid best bet
- Take: Over 3.0 goals in total
- Odds: +105 (DraftKings)
Both of these teams are all about efficiency this season, which means that while the shots might not be as profitable, there will surely be goals in this game. Atletico Madrid and Girona don't hit their opponents with waves of goal efforts, but they do have the two most efficient attacks in the Spanish top flight this season, each garnering a very good 0.14 xG/shot over the year.
Even though there aren't many chances in this match, there should be enough offensive power – and enough defensive errors, especially from Atleti, who have one of the worst differentials defensive players in the league with 17.84 xGOTA and 19 goals conceded (-1.16).
Girona vs Atlético Madrid Bet
- Take: Half with most goals – 2H
- Odds: -110 (DraftKings)
While Artem Dovbyk grabs headlines for his Golden Boot challenge, Girona have an ace up their sleeve in Cristhian Stuani, who has embodied the super sub mentality and been a key in the quest for the club title.
The 37-year-old captain has started just five La Liga matches this season (one since mid-September) and has totaled just 567 minutes, but has scored six goals and assisted two others. He scored a brace off the bench in a 2-1 win over Valencia in early December, and the very next game provided a goal and an assist to stun Barcelona.
Thanks in part to Stuani's late leadership, Girona have scored 23 second-half goals this year, ranking second in La Liga with Barcelona, behind only Real Madrid's 25. Additionally, Girona are the most prolific team in La Liga from the 30th minute, with 35 of their 42 goals this year coming after that point.
Atletico Madrid have a very similar profile, with 20 second-half goals this year, including 17 after 60 minutes. There should be fireworks at the end of the match to decide who has the points.
Girona vs Atletico Madrid live stream, TV channel
| Region | TV channel | Streaming |
| UNITED STATES | ESPN kicks out | Fubo, ESPN+WatchESPN |
| Canada | — | TSN+ |
| UNITED KINGDOM | Viaplay Sports 1, La Liga TV | Viaplay |
In the United States, all La Liga matches throughout the 2023/24 season are broadcast in English and Spanish on ESPN+ for premium subscribers. This match between Girona and Atletico Madrid has been selected to be broadcast in Spanish on ESPN Deportes, with this channel available to stream via Fubo.