Girona vs. Barcelona: Odds, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info

After midweek disappointment in the Copa del Rey, Barcelona will be seeking to bounce back in La Liga on Sunday, when they visit Catalan rivals Girona.

The Blaugrana were well beaten by Sevilla 2-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final showdown at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. Ernesto Valverde left Lionel Messi out of the squad for that match, and the team were lifeless in attack as a result.

Girona were also in cup action in midweek, as they were beaten 4-2 by Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu. They're four points clear of the relegation zone in La Liga and will feel much better about their chances of survival if they can pull off a shock result here.

Both of these sides look to play on the front foot, and coupled with the vibrant support Girona receive at Montilivi, that should make for a fascinating encounter.         

Odds

Girona win (9-1)

Draw (17-4)

Barcelona win (1-3)

Odds according to OddsShark.

Date: Sunday, January 27

Time: 3:15 p.m. (GMT), 10:15 a.m. (ET)

TV Info: beIN Sports (U.S.)

Live Stream: beIN Sports Connect (U.S.), Eleven Sports (UK)

Preview

JOSEP LAGO/Getty Images

Despite the quality within their squad and the money spent on playing staff in recent years, Barcelona continue to lean heavily on the influence of Messi. Once again in his absence, the team toiled.

The Blaugrana showed their defensive weakness in the 2-0 loss to Sevilla, and the fact that they didn't grab an away goal in the tie makes their chances of a comeback all the more challenging in the second leg.

Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC thinks that with Messi back for the second leg, the Catalan giants are still favourites to progress to the semi-finals:

The fact that Messi will be back on Sunday also makes Barcelona the favourites to win at Girona, against whom they will be seeking to cement their place at the top of the La Liga standings.

Valverde's side were nowhere near their best when they beat Leganes 3-1 in their most recent league game, with Messi again required to come off the bench and take the game away from the opposition. However, the victory ensured Barcelona moved five points clear of Atletico Madrid at the top of the table.

While Messi has rightly earned a lot of plaudits this term, Luis Suarez turned 32 in the buildup to this game and, as such, a lot of reflecting has been done on his campaign and Barcelona career.

Not only is he still productive in front of goal—he has 15 goals in La Liga this season, a mark only Messi betters—but he has been a creative foil for his team-mates too:

Girona are on a rotten run in La Liga, having failed to register a win in their past seven top-flight matches. On Thursday, they did at least show an attacking edge against Real Madrid before letting two goals in late on. 

While they are leaky at the back, in Cristhian Stuani, they boast a player who will pose a big threat to the Barcelona defence:

If Girona start well and the crowd rallies, then this match is potentially a dangerous one for Barcelona.

However, given the hosts' recent struggles and the fact that Barcelona will be able to recall a rested Messi to their starting XI, it's difficult to see the league leaders slipping up on Sunday.

Prediction: Girona 0-2 Barcelona