Getafe vs Real Madrid

Estadio Coliseum sets the stage for a mini-Madrilean derby between La Liga surprise package Getafe and title-bidding Real Madrid.

Getafe’s three-match winless La Liga streak (D1, L2) ended earlier this week as they eased past relegation-threatened Granada 2-0 at this venue, with ex-Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral taking his season tally to a joint-high 14 goals. Already ten points better off than they were after 21 matches last term, Jose Bordalas’ men have set their sights on an unlikely European qualification. Yet a seven-point deficit on 6th-placed Real Sociedad highlights the significance of winning this fixture. No strangers to upsetting their most esteemed visitors, ‘Los Azulones’ have held Real Madrid winless twice in their last three top-flight H2Hs on home turf (W1, D1, L1), with each contest featuring under 1.5 total goals. Another positive result wouldn’t be as surprising as it appears, considering they’ve only lost once in their last 13 home league outings (W8, D4).

Against the low-scoring backdrop, Real Madrid’s recent matches have been action-packed, with their last six contests averaging an outstanding 4.5 goals per game (W5, D1). Despite letting their opponents draw first blood across their two most recent La Liga fixtures, ‘Los Merengues’ emerged victorious on both occasions, including a 2-1 triumph at Las Palmas last weekend. That result stretched Madrid’s unbeaten league run on hostile turf to seven matches (W5, D2), all of which saw Carlo Ancelotti’s troops get on the scoresheet beyond halftime. But there’s no room for complacency as they need to make the most out of their game in hand to regain control of the table’s summit after falling one point below pacesetters Girona.