Getafe will be looking to give their La Liga survival hopes a huge boost when they welcome already-relegated Elche to the Spanish capital on Saturday evening.
The home side are currently 18th in the table, one point behind 17th-placed Real Valladolid, while Elche have already been relegated to the Segunda Division, with the team rock bottom of the division on 19 points.
Match preview
© Reuters
Getafe have operated outside of La Liga for just one season since 2004, but they are in serious danger of dropping down to the Segunda Division for the 2023-24 campaign.
The Deep Blue Ones are currently 18th in the table, boasting a record of eight wins, 10 draws and 16 defeats from their 34 league games this season, but they are only one point behind 17th-placed Real Valladolid, who are in action on Friday night against 16th-placed Cadiz.
There are only three points between Getafe in 18th and Valencia in 14th, while Celta Vigo are also not out of the equation in terms of relegation, and it is set to be a fascinating end to the campaign.
Jose Bordalas's side recorded a 1-0 win over Celta in their last home game on May 3 but will enter this game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid.
Getafe have found it difficult to show consistency at home this season, only picking up 23 points from their 17 league games in front of their own fans, but they will be welcoming an Elche outfit with the poorest away record in the division, claiming just six points from 17 matches.
© Reuters
Elche's relegation from Spain's top flight was confirmed following their 2-1 defeat at Almeria on May 2, but they will enter this match off the back of a surprising 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid.
Fidel's first-half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero, and Sebastian Beccacece's side have now won two of their last three matches, having also beaten Rayo Vallecano 4-0 in front of their own supporters at the end of April.
There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a very poor season for Elche, though, and they will be playing Segunda Division football next term for the first time since 2019-20.
Los Franjiverdes can still have a big say in which teams join them in the second tier, as they will also face Cadiz on the final weekend of the campaign, and their performance against Atletico last time out would certainly have worried their opponents in the coming matches.
Elche recorded a 3-1 victory over Getafe in the corresponding game during the 2021-22 campaign, but the capital outfit were 1-0 winners in the reverse match earlier this season.
Team News
© Reuters
Getafe will be without the services of Jaime Mata through suspension, with the Spaniard picking up a milestone yellow card in the defeat to Real Madrid last time out.
Meanwhile, Jordan Amavi, Domingos Duarte, Carles Alena, Juanmi Latasa, Mauro Arambarri and Enes Unal are all fitness doubts for the home side.
However, Getafe will be boosted by the return of Damian Suarez through suspension, while Unal is also available after a ban and will start providing that he can shake off a slight muscular issue.
As for Elche, Jose Angel Carmona remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, while Omar Mascarell is a doubt due to a muscular problem.
Head coach Beccacece is likely to name the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Atletico last time out, with Randy Nteka joining Lucas Boye in the final third of the field.
Pere Milla is certainly an option to come into an attacking position, but Fidel was on the scoresheet last time out and should therefore retain his starting role for Saturday's contest.
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Suarez, Mitrovic, Alderete, Alvaraz; Algobia, Dakonam, Maksimovic; Portu, Unal, Mayoral
Elche possible starting lineup:
Badia; Palacios, Bigas, Clerc; Morente, Nwankwo, Gumbau, Blanco; Fidel; Nteka, Boye
We say: Getafe 1-0 Elche
This is arguably now a tougher match for Getafe after Elche's relegation, as the team at the bottom of the table are now playing with freedom and have won two of their last three matches. Elche have lost each of their last five away league games, though, and we are backing Getafe to secure a huge three points here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
