Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Spanish capital as
Getafe welcome
Real Valladolid. Getafe enter the match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Almeria last time out, but Valladolid were winners by the same scoreline against Villarreal. Another three points for the visitors would move them out of the bottom three.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, both have won two of the last five matches, with the further fixture ending in a draw. The last two matches have ended in wins for Valladolid, but the last time the two sides met in this stadium was in November 2012, with Getafe picking up all the points with a 2-1 win.
TEAMS:
GETAFE: Moya; Arroyo, Lisandro, Rafa, Lago; Michel, Borja; Leon, Lafita, Castro; Ciprian
VALLADOLID: Marino; Rukavina, Rueda, Mitrovic, Pena; Rubio, Rossi; Larsson, Perez, Omar; Guerra
So there we have it. No Adrian Colunga or Pablo Sarabia in the Getafe XI this evening, but Diego Castro and Ciprian Marica start in an attacking XI. Pedro Leon is also fit to start. Valladolid, meanwhile, are without Patrick Ebert, but leading scorer Javi Guerra, who had reportedly been a late transfer target for a number of clubs, does start.
Getafe are currently joint-bottom of the form table in La Liga having taken just one point from their last six matches. They were in and around the top six before Christmas, but they have really struggled in recent weeks. As it stands, the capital outfit sit in 13th position in the table having taken 24 points from their 21 matches.
Incredibly, Getafe are just five points outside of the relegation zone. They have been fairly strong on their own patch with four wins from their 10 matches, but they have lost seven times on their travels. Due to the closeness in the bottom half of the table, they could find themselves in the top eight in a couple of weeks, or in the bottom three.
Getafe have struggled to find the back of the net in La Liga this season with just 22 goals in their 21 matches. That is just four more than basement outfit Real Betis. Valladolid, meanwhile, have registered 24 times. Down the other end, Getafe have conceded 34 times to Valladolid’s 37. Both sides have similar records, but one is 13th and the other is 18th.
It has been a difficult season for Valladolid, but they have improved in recent weeks. They lost on January 20 against Athletic Bilbao, but showed plenty in that match at San Mames. Last week, they got their reward with a 1-0 win over Villarreal. That result left them in the bottom three, but they are just two points from safety.
Three of their four league wins this season have come on their own patch, but they have won just once on the road, losing seven times in the process. In fact, only Real Betis, who sit bottom of the table, have conceded more goals on the road than Valladolid this season. That will surely hand Getafe confidence ahead of this match.
PREDICTION: Valladolid enter the match in the stronger run of form. But in truth, they have been poor on the road this season. I am not expecting too many goals, but I think Valladolid will take something from the match. My score prediction is a 1-1 draw in Madrid.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for an entertaining contest in Madrid as the home side get the action underway.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, which is not much of a surprise. Getafe are one of the most poorly-supported clubs in La Liga. However, those inside the stadium are attempting to create a strong atmosphere. That said, the next statistic does not fill me with much hope of goals...
It has been a strong start from the home side with Leon involved in the opening four minutes. The Getafe skipper delivers a deep cross into the box, but Pena is on hand to clear. Valladolid break with Rossi moments later, but his cross is into the arms of Moya.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening six minutes, but Getafe are enjoying most of the ball. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be crucial in this type of match. It is a bitter evening in the Spanish capital!
It's bright work from Marica as the Getafe forward turns Pena in the Valladolid half, but the Romanian is brought to the ground. The resulting free kick is whipped into the area by Leon, but Rubio is on hand to clear. The pressure is coming from the home side in the early exchanges.
First half-chance of the match falls to Getafe as Marica shows good pace to drive into the Valladolid half before finding Lafita, but the Spaniard cannot return the favour at the far post and the danger is cleared. Not too much for the Valladolid supporters to get excited about as the first period gathers pace.
Getafe continue to force he issue in the final third with Ciprian causing problems with his height and presence, but Valladolid have been aerially solid thus far. Meanwhile, the referee has been called into action on a number of occasions to address a host of late, untidy challenges.
POST! Valladolid come within a whisker of taking the lead as Rueda meets a cross from Omar, but his header clips the outside of the post. It was a poor challenge from Borja on Larsson that presented the away side with the free kick.
Neither side has been allowed to really get going in the opening 15 minutes as each continues to lose possession in the final third. Guerra attempts to force it for Valladolid with a through ball towards Perez, but the Spaniard had checked his run, much to the frustration of Guerra. Still goalless with 18 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
In case you have just joined us for our La Liga coverage, there have already been two games today. In the 5pm start, Levante drew 0-0 with Rayo Vallecano. That was after Valencia had secured an incredible 3-2 win in the Camp Nou against Barcelona...
CHANCE! Another opportunity falls to Valladolid as Victor Perez strikes a fine effort on the half-volley, but it just moves wide of the post. I am not sure if Moya would have got a touch. The chances are falling to Valladolid with 22 minutes on the clock.
Good pressure from the home side in the last couple of moments with Arroyo and Leon both involved down the right. The latter delivers a low cross towards Michel, but Pena is on hand to clear. It remains goalless, but the intensity has started to rise with little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining in Madrid.
More frustration for the home supporters as another attack breaks down with Castro. The Spaniard picks up an injury moments later as the stop-start period of the match continues. If it were a boxing match, Valladolid would just about be shading it on points.
From the looks of it, Castro has picked up an injury after standing on his own hand. Not something that you see too often! However, it appears that he will be fit to continue. Valladolid are down the other end with Larsson moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of the waiting Moya.
Castro has indeed returned to the action and he has a bandage around his wrist. Getafe force the issue with a couple of corners into the Valladolid box, but Pena and Rueda take it in turns to clear the danger. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Half-chance for Valladolid this time as Rossi breaks forward from midfield before trying his luck from outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. As expected, there have been few clear chances in the Spanish capital thus far.
CHANCE! Oh my word! Almost an incredible howler from Valladolid goalkeeper Marino as he allows a ball to bounce over his head, but it just drops wide of the post. That would have been one of the strangest goals of the season. Lafita was the player chasing it down.
Getafe skipper Leon has participated in six of his side's last nine home league goals, but the Spaniard has not had much of an impact thus far this evening. Valladolid continue to threaten on the counter, but too often Guerra has been left isolated in the final third.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments with a number of late challenges. Lago is perhaps lucky to remain on the field as he lunges into a late tackle with Larsson, but the referee awards a yellow. The resulting free kick is delivered by Rukavina, but Lopez gets up well to clear the danger.
Half-chance for Valladolid as Rossi picks up possession outside the box before striking one towards goal, but it just moves wide of the post. The away side have shaded the chances in the first period there is no question about that. Getafe have offered very little thus far.
Guerra threatens once more as he moves behind the Getafe defence, but the offside flag is raised at the vital moment. Confident football from Valladolid as they continue to pass and probe in the final third, with Getafe simply struggling to keep hold of the ball.
HALF TIME: Getafe 0-0 Valladolid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. That said, it has been an entertaining half of football with chances at either end. Valladolid have just about shaded it in general play, but it is delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: Getafe have just about shaded the possession with 53%, but they have had just three attempts - all of which have been off target - to Valladolid's seven. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges, meanwhile, with the referee doing well to issue just the three yellow cards.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Colunga, Galvan and Pablo Sarabia. Meanwhile, Valladolid have the likes of Sastre, Bergdich and Manucho in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Malaga against Sevilla - be sure to remain with us for that one. Right, the home side get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect both managers will look to alter proceedings if the score remains goalless for the next 20 minutes or so. One player that is not in the Valladolid squad this evening is Jeffren, who has recently joined from Sporting Lisbon...
Not too much to report in the early stages of the second period, but Getafe have started on the front foot. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital this evening. It must be said that the lack of an atmosphere is not helping Getafe in this match.
Neither side is creating much of note at the moment with attack after attack breaking down in the final third. Valladolid have a sniff of goal as Rossi drives to the edge of the box, but Lago is across to clear at the vital moment. Leon leads a charge down the other end, but his final pass is wayward once more.
Again it's bright work from the away side as Rukavina drives down the right before finding Rossi on the edge of the box, but the Italian's final touch allows Rafa to clear the danger. It would not be a surprise if both managers were considering making a change, even at this early stage of the second period. The game is in desperate need of a spark.
Neither side can keep the ball for any extended period at the moment as the score remains goalless in Madrid. Prior to this match, Levante played out a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano. Let's not have two in a row!
A draw would not be enough to move Valladolid out of the relegation zone, but three points would indeed move them above Elche, who play tomorrow. The away side have taken control of the possession in the last couple of moments, but still no real chances in the second period. It appears that a change for Getafe is imminent.
Getafe do indeed make a change as Sarabia replaces Lafita, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Valladolid remain the team on the front foot as Guerra spins inside the box, but his effort is just wide of the post. Still goalless with 62 minutes on the clock.
I would love to be able to say that there have been a number of chances in the last couple of moments, but that has not been the case. The referee has been heavily involved, however, and he is forced to issue another yellow to Guerra following a late challenge on Arroyo. Still goalless with little over 25 minutes remaining. Just a reminder that Malaga against Sevilla is our next match this evening.
As has been the case for much of the evening, Valladolid look the more likely to open the scoring. The away side force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but Lopez and Lago take it in turns to clear the danger. The card count continues to rise moments later as Rukavina fells Sarabia in the middle of the park.
The ball has spent more time in the air than on the ground in the last few moments with neither side able to put together a period of possession. It is not too difficult to see why these two sides have struggled to score goals this season. There has not been one clear chance in the second period, but there are still 20 minutes remaining.
Getafe have not won in the league since November 29 and their home supporters are becoming increasingly frustrated with what they are seeing. Leon delivers a dangerous cross into the Getafe box, but Lisandro is on hand to clear the danger.
CHANCE! Best chance of the second period falls to Getafe as Lisandro collects a deep cross inside the Valladolid box before finding the head of Rafa, but the Spaniard directs his header high of the crossbar. I suspect one goal would be enough to pick up all the points in Madrid.
Perez has an effort on target for the away side, but his strike is straight at Moya. Valladolid look to their bench for the first time this evening moments later and it is former Manchester United striker Manucho that enters the field in place of Larsson, who has struggled to influence proceedings.
Right, little under 15 minutes of this La Liga clash remaining. Is there to be a winner? Valladolid have just about shaded the match until this point, but neither team has done enough to deserve to be ahead. Constant fouls continue to interrupt the flow with the referee taking centre stage.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Guerra gets the slightest touch on a low cross from Rueda, but his effort just drops wide of the far post. Getafe are down the other end with Sarabia moments later, but Pena clears the danger.
Valladolid make their second change of the match as Rama replaces Rossi. That is a positive change from the away side. Manucho has caused problems with his presence since entering the field, leaving Getafe to produce some desperate defending following a succession of high balls into the box.
Getafe make their second change as Gavilan replaces Michel for the final five minutes or so. You just get the feeling that there will be one last big chance in this match. Both managers have made positive changes in the last few minutes. Little over five minutes remaining in Madrid.
Valladolid remain the team on the front foot with Manucho an aerial option. Guerra feeds off his strike partner, but Lisandro is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Down the other end, Sarabia's effort is blocked by Pena. Still goalless in this La Liga encounter.
Valladolid make their third and final change as Victor Perez is replaced by Sastre for the final couple of minutes. A half-chance arrives for Getafe as Castro drills a low cross into the box, but Marino is on hand to collect.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Castro once again strikes one from distance, but his effort is over the crossbar. It appears that the points will be shared this evening.
POST! Oh my word! Castro explodes into life as he collects possession outside the box before curling one towards the top corner, but it strikes the outside of the post. That would have been cruel on Valladolid.
FULL TIME: Getafe 0-0 Valladolid
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with the points shared in Madrid. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Malaga against Sevilla. Until then!