Mansion Sports – The highly anticipated Catalan derby returns as Barcelona hosts Girona in the ninth week of the 2025/2026 La Liga season. 

The match will take place at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 16:15 local time. 

Both teams are determined to secure valuable points to strengthen their positions in the standings, making this a crucial fixture in the early stages of the campaign.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Barcelona

Barcelona is eager to bounce back after suffering their first league defeat of the season — a painful 1–4 loss against Sevilla FC prior to the international break. 

That setback halted their previously strong momentum under Hansi Flick, who had overseen an impressive start to the season.

Although the renovation of Spotify Camp Nou is nearing completion, Barcelona will once again play their home match at the Olympic Stadium. 

The support of their home crowd is expected to be a key motivator as they aim to return to winning ways.

Before the loss to Sevilla, Barcelona had won five of their first six league matches, including dominant victories over Valencia CF (6–0) and Getafe CF (3–0), briefly putting them at the top of the standings before being overtaken by Real Madrid CF.

However, the team has been hit by a wave of injuries that forces Flick to carefully adjust his tactics. 

This derby against Girona is not only an opportunity to regain confidence but also to maintain pressure in the title race.

Girona

Girona arrives with improving form after a challenging start to the season that saw them lose their first three matches, including a heavy 0–5 defeat against Villarreal CF. 

Under Michel, the team has stabilized, losing just once in their last five matches and securing a 2–1 victory over Valencia before the international break.

Their recent performances have shown better defensive organization and cohesion, although a trip to Barcelona remains a difficult task. Girona is expected to rely on quick counterattacks to exploit gaps in Barcelona’s defense.

This positive momentum could give Girona confidence, but the match will be a true test of their ability to compete against a top-tier side. For Barcelona, this clash is also about asserting their dominance in Catalonia and staying close to Real Madrid in the title race.

Predicted Lineups for Barcelona vs Girona 2025

Barcelona (4-2-3-1)

Barcelona faces a series of injury problems ahead of this derby. Key players such as Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi, Robert Lewandowski, Joan Garcia, and Raphinha have been ruled out. Dani Olmo also joins the list of absentees after picking up a muscle injury during training.

Girona (3-4-2-1)

Girona also has its share of absences. Juan Carlos, David Lopez, and Donny van de Beek are sidelined with injuries. 

Azzedine Ounahi, Viktor Tsygankov, and Abel Ruiz are doubtful, while Ivan Martin and Alejandro Frances are suspended following red cards in their previous match.

Final Thoughts

This encounter between Barcelona and Girona is more than just a league fixture — it is a derby rich with rivalry and emotion. 

Barcelona will look to capitalize on home advantage to bounce back and keep the pressure on Real Madrid, while Girona aims to steal valuable points from their Catalan neighbors to continue climbing the table.

With several key players missing from both sides, the match could produce unexpected twists. The effectiveness of each team’s tactical approach will likely determine the outcome. 

The predicted lineups for Barcelona vs Girona 2025 will be closely watched, as early team selections could set the tone for the entire game.