Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the La Liga match.
Girona open their campaign against solid mid-table side Rayo Vallecano. For the hosts, it’s a chance to start with a win and regain confidence after a tough previous season, while the visitors will look to prove last year’s success was no fluke.
Girona
Girona, after their historic Champions League qualification and third-place finish in La Liga two seasons ago, suffered a major drop-off: without key players, the team finished 16th and lost seven of their eight European fixtures. This summer the club made only selective loan signings — Thomas Lemar, Hugo Rincón, Axel Witsel and Vitor Reis — keeping their core intact, but without major reinforcements a sharp improvement seems unlikely. Pre-season results were mixed, with wins and defeats and six goals conceded.
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano finished eighth last term, earning a place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers — a historic achievement for the club. Summer additions include Gerard Gumbau, Luiz Felipe and Augusto Batalla. In pre-season, the team looked assured, losing just once in four matches and scoring 11 goals.
Girona vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction
Last season, Rayo Vallecano took points off Girona in both league meetings (0:0 and 2:1). They begin this season with the same core and new leaders who impressed in friendlies. The visitors should be able to compete and avoid defeat.
