Getafe vs Barcelona 07/01/19

07 January 2019

La Liga leaders Barcelona return to action in 2019 as they prepare to take on Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez looking to extend their 13-game lossless streak against the hosts.

Unbeaten in their last six games in all competitions (W3, D3), the Azulones hope for a positive outcome that would see them keeping up the pace with the European promotion zone. Established as one of the best defensive teams in the Spanish top flight over the past few seasons, Getafe have conceded just four goals in eight home clashes this term, keeping a clean sheet five times in the run. El Geta won the previous two home outings, scoring four goals while keeping a clean sheet in the process. However, Jose Bordalas’ men have already lost three home games this season, failing to hit the back of the net in each. Moreover, Bordalas’ principal worry ahead of this meeting is that his players lost five of their last six home encounters with Barcelona.

Meanwhile, the reigning holders have racked up a four-game La Liga winning run, scoring 13 goals while keeping a clean sheet in each. No team has clinched more away victories than the Catalans (5) this term, with the Blaugrana securing three wins on their last five road trips, scoring 13 goals in the process. Barcelona’s tally of 18 goals scored away from home is joint-best in La Liga, with Ernesto Valverde’s men notching over 1.5 goals per match four times in eight road clashes so far. An encouraging fact for Valverde could be that his players kept a clean sheet in their last two road meetings after conceding on five consecutive road LL trips.

Provisional line-up – Getafe:

Gk: David Soria Defense: Foulquier – Cabrera – Antunes – Bruno – Damian Suarez Midfield: Arambarri – Maksimovic Attack: Angel – Mata – Jorge Molina

Provisional line-up – Barcelona:

Gk: Marc-Andre ter Stegen Defense: Jordi Alba – Pique – Lenglet – Semedo Midfield: Arturo Vidal – Sergio Busquets – Rakitic Attack: Ousmane Dembele – Leo Messi – Luis Suarez