Real Sociedad will be bidding to continue their strong run of form in La Liga when they travel to Getafe on Sunday afternoon.
The away side are currently sixth in the table, three points ahead of seventh-placed Valencia, while Getafe occupy 10th, boasting 39 points from their 31 games during a solid campaign.
Match preview
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Getafe have won nine, drawn 12 and lost 10 of their 31 league matches this season to collect 39 points, which has left them in 10th position in the table, level on points with ninth-placed Villarreal.
The Deep Blue Ones have finished 15th in each of their last three campaigns, so there has been a huge improvement this term, and the team are very much on course for a top-half finish.
Getafe have only managed to win one of their last seven league matches, though, suffering three defeats in the process, and they will enter this contest off the back of a goalless draw with Rayo Vallecano.
Jose Bordalas's side have been solid at home this season, picking up 28 points from their 15 matches in front of their own fans, but they will be welcoming a Real Sociedad outfit with the fourth-best away record.
Getafe are not going to be relegated and are also not in the race for Europe, so their focus in the latter stages of the campaign will be on securing a top-half spot, which would represent a strong season.
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Real Sociedad finished fourth in La Liga last season, but they are not in a battle for the top-four at this stage of the season, sitting 11 points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.
It looks likely to be the Europa League for the Basque outfit next term, although they are only three points ahead of seventh-placed Valencia, while Real Betis in eighth are just five points off sixth position.
Imanol Alguacil's side have hit a solid run of form at a vital stage of the season, though, picking up 10 points from their last four matches against Granada, Cadiz, Alaves and Almeria.
Real Sociedad recorded three straight wins over Granada, Cadiz and Alaves before drawing 2-2 with Almeria last weekend; the Basque team were 2-1 ahead until the 88th minute of the match, when Adri Embarba scored a penalty to secure a point for the side at the bottom of the division.
The White and Blues will be bidding to make it a league double over Getafe for the 2023-24 campaign, having recorded a 4-3 victory when the pair locked horns for the reverse match last September.
Team News
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As was the case against Rayo, Getafe will be without the services of three players for this weekend's match, with Jordi Martin, Domingos Duarte and Borja Mayoral unavailable for selection.
However, the capital outfit will be boosted by the return of Carles Alena to their squad, with the attacker serving a suspension in the goalless draw last time out.
On-loan Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood is again set to operate on the right for Getafe, but there could be a change behind him, with Jose Angel Carmona bidding to come into the side, while Juanmi Latasa may also be introduced in the final third of the field.
As for Real Sociedad, Brais Mendez and Martin Merquelanz are on the sidelines through injury, while Carlos Fernandez faces a late fitness test on a knee problem.
The Basque outfit will also have to work around the absences of Igor Zubeldia and Martin Zubimendi, as the pair are suspended for the clash in the Spanish capital.
Takefusa Kubo and Benat Turrientes are both expected to come into the side on Sunday, but Sheraldo Becker should retain his spot in the final third of the field alongside Mikel Oyarzabal.
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Carmona, Dakonam, Alderete, Alvarez; Greenwood, Maksimovic, Milla, Rico; Latasa, Mata
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Traore, Elustondo, Le Normand, Galan; Zakharyan, Benat, Merino, Kubo; Becker, Oyarzabal
We say: Getafe 1-1 Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad, on paper at least, are the favourites for this match, but Getafe have only lost three of their 15 home league matches this season. It would not be a surprise to see an away win on Sunday, but we are expecting Getafe to be good enough to secure a share of the spoils in this clash.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
