With a 2-0 La Liga (LL) loss to Real Sociedad last weekend, Getafe’s four-game winning streak (W2, D2) came to an end, putting them just three points above the relegation zone. Coach Quique Sánchez Flores quickly dismissed the loss as coming against “rivals that are out of your reach,” but that’s hardly encouraging when they face league leaders Barcelona, a team that Flores’ sides have failed to defeat in his last eight league head-to-head matches (D2, L6).
Given that past and Getafe’s pitifully low 9% victory rate in meetings against Barcelona in the top division, home supporters might not be getting their hopes up. Although the hosts can bet on their chances of improving that record this time around given that they have won their past three league games at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.
Barcelona is now on a two-game losing streak (D1, L1) and has failed to score in each of those games, so it may be a good moment to play them. Since the league is their only remaining playing field for this season, coach Xavi wouldn’t want any more lows despite downplaying the media’s portrayal of a “mini-crisis” after their goalless draw against Girona last Monday. “We are 13 points ahead of Real Madrid,” he said.
Getting back to winning ways might begin at the back, where Barcelona has the best defensive record in the league (GA9), highlighted by 21 shutouts. The visitors have won six of their past nine away league games by a 1-0 score, which has contributed to tight games going their way.
In Getafe’s previous three home victories, Borja Mayoral has contributed to four league goals (G2, A2), and both of his two H2H goals in his career have been in home victory. Robert Lewandowski, who contributed to five of Barcelona’s past seven away league goals (G3, A2), may be the one to turn things around for them.
TEAM NEWS
The veteran forward Jaime Mata is still out with a calf injury, which has limited the 34-year-old to just 10 substitute appearances in the league this season.
Getafe look set to be without key midfielder Mauro Arambarri this weekend, as the Uruguayan has missed the past five games due to a muscle injury. Top scorer Enes Unal will be joined in attack by Borja Mayoral and former Barcelona forward.
Ousmane Dembele is still missing for Barcelona due to a long-term injury, therefore Raphinha and Ferran Torres will likely play alongside Robert Lewandowski in the forward line.
Due to injuries, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri will also miss this match on Sunday. Sergio Busquets, Franck Kessie, and Gavi are likely to fill in for them in the midfield.
With Andreas Christensen, Barcelona’s center defender, sidelined with a muscle injury, Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo will likely remain in the backline.
Soria, Djene, Duarte, Alderete, Suarez, Maksimovic, Milla, Portu, Mayoral, Unal, Munir are potential starters for Getafe.
Ter Stegen, Kounde, Araujo, Garcia, Balde, Gavi, Busquets, Kessie, Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Torres might all start for Barcelona.
We predict: Getafe 0-2 Barcelona
Despite recent losses, we anticipate a revitalized Barcelona team to defeat Getafe with ease, with Xavi’s team adding yet another clean sheet to their ever-expanding total.