Celta Vigo will be bidding to make it back-to-back wins in Spain's top flight when they continue their campaign away to Getafe on Sunday afternoon.
The visitors will enter the contest off the back of a morale-boosting 3-0 success over Osasuna, while Getafe drew 1-1 with Real Betis in their last La Liga fixture.
Match preview
© Reuters
Getafe are enjoying a solid campaign, boasting a record of seven wins, nine draws and seven defeats from their 23 matches to collect 30 points, which has left them in 10th position in the table.
The capital side are two points behind ninth-placed Las Palmas and four clear of Alaves in 11th, so they should be looking up the table rather than down, with a top-half finish more than achievable.
Jose Bordalas's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-1 draw away to Real Betis, but they have only won one of their last five games in all competitions and lost two of their three league games in January.
Getafe, who finished 15th in La Liga last season, are unbeaten in their last four league matches against Celta, including a 2-2 draw in the reverse match earlier this term.
The Deep Blue Ones have been solid at home in 2023-24, meanwhile, picking up 21 points from 11 matches, recording six victories in the process.
© Reuters
Celta's away form this season has not been disastrous, picking up 10 points from 11 matches, which is the same that they have collected in front of their own supporters.
Rafael Benitez's side have had a tough campaign to date, only picking up 20 points from 23 matches, which has left them in 16th position in the table, just three points above the relegation zone.
The Sky Blues will enter this match off the back of an impressive result, though, beating Osasuna 3-0 away from home to secure a vital three points in their battle against relegation.
Celta have actually only lost one of their last five league games on their travels, while they have lost their last two at home, so another away match might be welcomed by Benitez's team.
The Vigo outfit finished 13th in La Liga last season and have not played outside of Spain's top flight since 2012, so it would be a surprise to see them relegated this term.
Team News
© Reuters
Getafe will be without the services of Ilaix Moriba and Mauro Arambarri through injury, while Jordi Martin and Djene Dakonam face late fitness tests for the capital side.
The hosts will also have to work around the absence of Gaston Alvarez, who is suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up in the draw with Real Betis last time out.
Should Dakonam overcome his issue, the 32-year-old is likely to move into the middle of the defence, while leading goalscorer this season Borja Mayoral will be back in the XI, having started on the bench against Real Betis before entering at the half-time break.
As for Celta, Willot Swedberg and Joseph Aidoo remain unavailable for selection, while Jonathan Bamba has helped Ivory Coast reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Having reported no injury problems from the clash against Osasuna, it is expected that Benitez will send the same XI onto the field due to the manner of the performance.
As a result, Anastasios Douvikas might have to accept a spot on the bench once again despite finding the back of the net as a substitute against Osasuna.
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Duarte, Dakonam, Alderete, Rico; Greenwood, Milla, Santiago, Mata; Mayoral, Latasa
Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Tapia, U Nunez, Dominguez; Manquillo, Jailson, Beltran, Ristic; Mingueza, Larsen, De la Torre
We say: Getafe 1-1 Celta Vigo
Celta were excellent against Osasuna last time out, but it remains to be seen whether they can put in a similar performance this weekend. Both of these sides have found it difficult to win games this term, and we are expecting a tight match on Sunday to finish all square.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
