Barcelona will be aiming to return to winning ways in Spain's top flight when they head to Estadio Coliseum on Saturday evening to tackle a Getafe outfit that are currently towards the bottom of the La Liga table.
The Catalan giants have lost their last two in the league, which has led to them dropping to third spot in the division, but this will represent their first match in Spain's top flight since December 21.
Match preview
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Getafe will bring a three-game winning run into this match, beating Granada and Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey either side of a 2-1 victory over Las Palmas in the league last weekend.
Jose Bordalas' side sit 15th in the La Liga table, boasting a record of four wins, seven draws and eight defeats from their 19 matches, with 19 points leaving them three points outside of the relegation zone.
Getafe actually have the third-best defensive record in La Liga this season, conceding only 16 times, with Real Sociedad (13) and Atletico Madrid (12) the only two teams to perform better defensively this term.
However, finding the back of the net has been a real issue, only managing 13 goals in their 19 matches, which is the joint-worst attacking record alongside Real Valladolid.
Getafe have only played one season outside of Spain's top flight since 2004, so it would be a surprise to see them relegated this term, but there is no question that they are involved in a relegation battle.
The Deep Blue Ones lost 1-0 to Barcelona in the reverse match earlier this season, but they have not actually been beaten by the Catalan outfit in front of their own supporters since September 2019.
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Indeed, Barcelona have failed to win on their last three visits to Getafe in Spain's top flight, with each of those contests finishing 0-0, and their recent league form has left a lot to be desired.
Hansi Flick's side have only managed to win one of their last seven matches in Spain's top flight, which was a 5-1 success over Mallorca on December 3; since then, they have drawn with Real Betis and lost to both Leganes and Atletico Madrid.
Just one point from their last three league matches has seen them drop into third spot in the table, five points behind second-placed Real Madrid and six from leaders Atletico Madrid, so there is work for them to do.
Barcelona have played four times this year, twice in the Copa del Rey and twice in the Spanish Super Cup, beating Barbastro and Real Betis in the Spanish Cup to advance to the quarter-finals, while they overcame Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia to win the Spanish Super Cup, so a four-game winning run will be brought into this game.
Flick's team thumped Real Betis 5-1 in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, and their attention after this game will switch back to the Champions League, preparing to head to Portugal to take on Benfica.
Team News
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Getafe will be without the services of Diego Rico and Alvaro Rodriguez through suspension, while Yellu Santiago, Allan Nyom and Juan Berrocal are doubts for the home team this weekend.
Head coach Bordalas will make changes to the side that started against Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey last time out, with Djene Dakonam, Borja Mayoral and Carles Alena set to come into the XI.
Coba should continue in a wide position for the home team, while it is again expected to be a 4-4-2 formation, with David Soria returning between the sticks after being left out in the Copa del Rey.
As for Barcelona, Marc Bernal, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Inigo Martinez will miss the match through injury, but there is a chance that Andreas Christensen could be back in the squad after a long-term Achilles problem.
Head coach Flick will make changes from the side that started against Real Betis in the Copa del Rey, with Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado and Robert Lewandowski in line to return to the XI.
Ronald Araujo's future has recently been the subject of speculation, but the centre-back is expected to soon sign a new deal, and Martinez's absence has opened the door for him to come back into the starting XI.
Dani Olmo is again available, having been granted temporary registration, but he may start on the bench on Saturday night, with Gavi potentially featuring as the number 10 from the first whistle.
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Dakonam, Duarte, Alderete, Iglesias; Alena, Milla, Arambarri, Coba; Uche, Mayoral
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
We say: Getafe 0-1 Barcelona
This is a tough match to call, and we are not expecting many goals considering the recent meetings and Getafe's strong defensive record this term; Barcelona desperately need to win in order to stay in touch at the top of the division, though, and we are backing them to secure all three points at Estadio Coliseum.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
