Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
After saving one point in a 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo, Villarreal will look to return to winning ways when they take on Girona on Matchday 18. The Yellow Submarine are determined to represent Spain in the Champions League next term, but they need to start winning on a regular basis if they are to turn the dream into reality. Both Raul Albiol and Alex Baena are back from suspensions, but all Kiko Femenia, Nicolas Jackson, Alfonso Pedraza, and Juan Foyth should miss out with injuries.
Meanwhile, the Catalan outfit came from behind to beat Sevilla 2-1 in front of home fans, but given their anything but good away record, we predict that the hosts are going to pick up all three points from the match. Yangel Herrera could earn a place in the starting XI after scoring the winner against Jorge Sampaoli’s troops, whereas Valentin Castellanos returns from suspension.
Highlighted Player (Aissa Mandi):
![Aissa Mandi](https://footballpredictions.com/wp-content/plugins/fp-highlights/imageid/player/85079680.png)
Aissa Mandi is a product of Reims’ youth school. After playing eight matches for Reims II in the 2009/2010 season, he started playing for the first team in 2010. Mandi made his Reims debut against Le Havre on 20 August, 2010 and he remained at Stade Auguste Delaune until 30 June, 2016, when he decided to join Spanish side Real Betis.
The Algeria international, who was born in Chalons-en-Champagne, France, signed a five-year contract with los Beticos which expires on 30 June, 2021. His main position is centre back, but he is capable of playing as a full back as well. The right-footed defender made his Algeria debut on 5 March, 2014 and he helped the Algerian national team keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Slovenia.
Mandi impressed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, but he scored his first goal for Algeria in a 3-3 draw with Ethiopia in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He represented Algeria at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations as well.
Highlighted Team (Girona):
![Girona](https://footballpredictions.com/wp-content/plugins/fp-highlights/imageid/team/814089.png)
After several unsuccessful attempts, finally secured promotion to Primera Division at the end of the 2016/2017 season. The Catalan outfit finished the campaign in second place in the standings, 14 points behind Levante and only two clear of third-placed Getafe. Girona play their home games at Montilivi and the capacity of the venue is 9.286.
Speaking of the club history, Girona were founded in the café Norat in La Rambla of Girona on July 23, 1930 and they played their first official game against Colonia Artigas. A number of Spanish coaches were in charge of the team in the past, but it has to be noted that Uruguayan tactician Dagoberto Moll (1965/1966) and Karoly Plattko (1948/1949) of Hungary were in charge of the club as well.
The Catalan team wear white shirts with red stripes when playing at home, while the colour of their shorts is blue. The team’s away kits are blue and black and Sporting Gijon are considered one of Girona’s fiercest rivals.