GETAFE C. F.
vs
F.C. BARCELONA
Coliseum Alfonso P rez, Getafe
Saturday, 31 October, 2015, 1930 GMT
***
Spanish champions FC Barcelona will look to keep up the pressure on league leaders Real Madrid when they travel to the Coliseum Alfonso P rez stadium to take on a mid-table Getafe side on Saturday.
Last week, Barcelona battled to a 3-1 win against a gritty Eibar side at the Camp Nou courtesy of a Luis Suarez hat-trick.
On the other hand, Getafe have made a lukewarm start to the 2015-16 season and are currently placed in 13th position with 3 wins and 1 draw and 5 losses in the ten matches played so far. They will be looking to kickstart their season by upsetting the defending champions and registering their 4th consecutive home win.
Team News and Tactics
Getafe
Getafe will be looking to bounce back from their 5-0 trouncing at the hands of Sevilla last weekend when they face Barcelona at home on Saturday.
Midfielder Alvaro Medran, loaned from Real Madrid at the beginning of the season, fractured his shin last time out and will be out till at least February for the hosts. Striker Alvaro Vazquez will also sit out Saturday’s clash with a hamstring injury.
In further bad news for Getafe, Spanish defender Alexis will most likely miss out against Barcelona after picking up a knee problem in training.
There is some good news for the hosts, however, as midfielder Angel Lafita has recovered from injury and is available for selection.
Former Valencia goalkeeper Vicente Guaita will continue in goal for Getafe. In front of him, Cala, Vergini, Suarez and Lago will operate in defence.
Rodriguez and Meira are expected to continue as the double pivot in midfield. Sarabia, Pedro Leon and Lafita will operate in attacking midfield, ahead of the defensive duo. Serbian striker Stefan Scepovic will play as a lone striker up front for Getafe.
Probable Starting XI (4-2-3-1): . Guaita; Cala, Vergini, Suarez, Lago; J. Rodriguez, Meira; Leon, Sarabia, Lafita; Scepovic.
FC Barcelona
The champions are without a whole host of players for the clash against Getafe on account of injuries and suspensions.
Lionel Messi, Rafinha and Douglas are long term injury absentees and will miss the match against Getafe. Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano was handed a 2-match ban by the Spanish Football Federation for insulting the assistant referee during last week’s 3-1 win over Eibar and will sit out Saturday’s match as a result.
However, Andres Iniesta and Sergi Roberto have recovered from their injuries and are available for selection.
Chilean keeper Claudio Bravo is expected to continue in goal ahead of Marc Andre ter-Stegen for the Catalans. Sergi Roberto will most likely start on the bench following his return from injury and hence Marc Bartra will be given the chance to accompany Gerard Pique in central defence. Fit again Iniesta will operate in midfield alongside Rakitic and Busquets.
Sandro will most likely be given the nod to feature alongside the deadly duo of Neymar and Luis Suarez to complete the Barcelona front three.
Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Bravo; Alves, Pique, Bartra, Alba; Rakitic, Iniesta, Busquets; Sandro, Suarez, Neymar.
Key Facts
- Barcelona have won 25 of their last 30 matches in La Liga.
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Barcelona’s last 7 games in La Liga.
- Barcelona have scored at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches against Getafe in all competitions.
- Getafe have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 home matches in La Liga.
- Getafe have won their last 3 home matches in La Liga.
- Barcelona are undefeated in their last 9 matches against Getafe in all competitions.
(Source: whoscored.com)
Player to watch out for:
Luis Suarez (Barcelona)
Uruguayan sensation Luis Suarez struck a spectacular hat-trick last week against Eibar at the Camp Nou to take his season’s tally to 7 goals in the league. Suarez, along with Neymar, has taken up the mantle, to guide Barcelona to the top of La Liga in the absence of Lionel Messi.
He was rested for the midweek Copa del Rey clash against Vilanovense which ended in a 0-0 draw. FC Barcelona have also benefited immensely from El Pistolero’s international ban, which has given him more time to work on his fitness.
A well-rested Suarez will be looking to continue his goal scoring exploits against a Getafe side which leaked 5 goals last weekend against Sevilla.
Prediction
Getafe CF 1 – 4 FC Barcelona
Despite injuries to a host of first team players, Barcelona will be expected to overpower a Getafe side that conceded 7 goals against Real Madrid and 5 goals against Sevilla. Luis Suarez and Neymar will be looking to get on the score sheet and add to their tallies in the race to become the Pichichi this season.
Although Getafe have won their last 3 home matches, they have struggled this season against the big sides. Barcelona is expected to coast through to a comfortable away win.
Blast from the past