🏏 Sat, 23 May 2026 21:00 CEST
Girona
vs
Elche CF
4-1-4-1 vs 4-1-4-1
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- A final-matchday showdown between Girona (17th, 40 points) and Elche (15th, 42 points) with direct relegation implications. Girona are level on points with 16th-place Sevilla (40 points, one game fewer) but sit 17th in the drop zone on a goal difference of -16. Elche are level on points with 14th-place Osasuna (42 points) but languish in 15th with a goal difference of -8, worse than Osasuna's -5. The winning team will secure survival in this fateful encounter.
- Girona are in serious decline, winless in their last five (two draws, three losses), and lost 0-1 to Atletico Madrid on matchday 37. Their defensive frailty, with 38 goals scored and 54 conceded for a goal difference of -16 this season, has dragged them into the relegation fight. In their final home game at Montilivi, they desperately need a win.
- Elche are slightly up and down with two wins, one draw and two losses in their last five, but carry momentum after a 1-0 home win over Getafe on matchday 37. With 48 goals scored and 56 conceded this season, they have more attacking output than Girona and attack proactively even away from home. They want to maintain this form on the final day and take three points to secure survival.
- In this season's matchday 15 meeting, Elche won 3-0 at home, so this is a chance for Girona to gain revenge. This direct clash decides the two teams' fates, with 90 minutes determining top-flight survival or relegation to the Segunda. As a draw would likely send Girona down, they must approach this with a must-win mentality.
- Girona favour attacking football in a 4-3-3, but their defensive issues are pronounced. Under manager Michel they stick to a possession-based style, but their handling of counter-attacks is a weakness. On the final day they must sharpen their defensive concentration and keep goals conceded to a minimum.
- Elche use a solid 4-4-2, prioritising ball control in midfield and defensive stability. Under manager Francisco Rodriguez, they are expected to play proactively for a win rather than settling for a draw even away from home. With a draw of no use to either side, this is set to be a tense encounter in which only victory will do.