Girona 0-1 Barcelona – Betting Review

 

 

Match Summary

Barcelona had to survive strong late pressure but managed to hang on for a narrow and hard-fought win against a stubborn Girona.

Thanks to Pedri’s tap-in soon after the hour mark, Barcelona got the lead when not threatening too much. The visitor had dominated early but rarely generated scoring opportunities, this was not a convincing win or performance and at best, just about merited. Fair scores 1-1 and 0-1.

Barcelona is now 13 straight games unbeaten in all competitions after triumphing 1-0 in a hard-fought and largely even Catalan derby.

Recently-crowned Supercopa winners Barça exuded confidence in the opening stages, though failed to work serious openings. Most of their danger came from Girona’s poor use of the ball deep in their third.

As the game wore on and the longer it stayed 0-0, Girona showed glimpses of why they have been tough to beat recently.

Barcelona asserted their trademark control of the ball and dominated for a good 25-30 minutes, but gradually the host settled into it and posed some threat on breaks.

With Robert Lewandowski still suspended, Ansu Fati failed to propel a frontline which lost Ousmane Dembélé to injury before the half-hour mark. The league leaders looked solid at the back, however, with Ronald Araújo at his imposing best.

Barcelona lost control of the game soon after going ahead. They looked vulnerable to conceding too when put under heavy pressure in the final 15-20 minutes or so when Girona threw everything at them.

Barcelona’s class eventually told, and Pedri notched on his 100th Barcelona appearance in the 61st minute, tapping away a rebound from inside the area.

After going ahead Xavi’s side opted to sit back and kill the game, something they ultimately achieved but only due to Girona missing a couple of sitters. Fair score 1-1.

 

Betting Analysis

Looking at the 1×2 market first. The clear favourite for this game was Barcelona @ 1.60, and they started the game well, meriting that price.

Moving onto the Asian handicap market for this contest. This was a push with Barcelona -1 getting a full-goal start. In our preview we expected Girona +1 to keep it close which they most certainly did, and perhaps grab a positive result which could have been the case for a wasted finish at the end. Barcelona dominated for a half hour but never seriously worked chances so Girona +1 felt safe most of the time.

Looking at The Under/Over goal line last of all where the line is set at 2.75. Under was our preference @ 1.96 as Barca had the midweek game and, as happened versus Getafe last week, they didn’t move the ball well and sat on a lead.