Real Madrid will look to reclaim the top spot in La Liga when they hit the road to square up against tenth-placed Getafe.
Getafe will look to make it back-to-back wins in the league when they host second-placed Real Madrid. Los Blancos have won each of their last five league games and have the opportunity to go top of the table with a win in this fixture.
The home team are currently tenth on the points table with 29 points out of their 21 matches, thanks to the seven wins and eight draws. They have done a decent job so far and will look to build on it when they face Real Madrid.
After suffering back-to-back defeats in the league, Getafe managed to bounce back thanks to their 2-0 win over Granada last time out. They might not have been the dominating team but did get the desired result. And, the Azulones are now heading into this fixture against the team in white high on confidence.
As far as Real Madrid are concerned, they have been a dominating force this season. Apart from their two defeats at the hands of Atletico Madrid, they have not really put a foot wrong. Los Blancos are a point behind Girona but have a game in hand and this is their opportunity to claim the top spot.
Since losing to city rivals Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, Real Madrid have scripted two comeback wins in the league. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 victory over Las Palmas and will hope for a better performance this time out. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Getafe
The home team will be without the services of Mauro Arambarri. Meanwhile, Ilaix Moriba is on international duty. However, they do have a major boost as Damian Suarez, Jose Angel Carmona and Luis Milla are all available after serving their suspension.
The home side will go ahead with a classic 4-4-2 flat formation, where David Soria will be in goal. Damian Suarez will start alongside Diego Rico as the full-back. The duo will look to support the centre-back pairing of Djene Dakonam and Omar Alderete.
The back four will look to keep things tight at the back. But it won’t be easy given the strength of the opposition attackers. In the centre of the park, Luis Milla will feature alongside Nemanja Maksimovic. The duo will look to ensure Real Madrid do not end up dictating the pace of the game.
They will be supported by the in-demand Manchester United loanee Mason Greenwood and Carles Alena, who will feature out wide on the flanks. The duo will provide width to their attack. Former Real Madrid striker Borja Mayoral will start alongside Jaime Mata up top.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Soria; Suarez, Djene, Alderete, Rico; Greenwood, Maksimovic, Milla, Alena; Mayoral, Mata
Real Madrid
Real Madrid will be without the services of Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, and David Alaba. Apart from the trio, they do not have any fresh injury concerns. Meanwhile, the major boost is the return of Jude Bellingham, who was suspended for their previous outing.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team will also line up in a 4-4-2. But unlike Getafe, it will be a diamond in the centre. The Italian manager has rotated his goalkeepers of late, but he is expected to stick with Andriy Lunin for this one.
Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy will be the full-back duo for the team in white. In the heart of the defence, Antonio Rudiger will pair up with Nacho Fernandez. The back four will look for a clean sheet on the night.
Aurelien Tchouameni will be the defensive midfielder in front of the backline. He will have the support of Federico Valverde and Luka Modric. They will look to control the tempo and dominate the possession of the ball. Meanwhile, Bellingham will feature as the attacking midfielder behind the two strikers, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouameni, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have won each of their last five league games. They have only lost once in the league so far.
- Los Blancos have the upper hand against Getafe, having won 28 times while the home team only has six wins so far.
- Getafe have lost each of their last four matches against the team in white.
- The home team have won one of their last four league games.
- Real Madrid have the best defence (14) and the second-best attack (45) in the division.
Player to Watch
Dani Carvajal
Carvajal has revived himself in the ongoing season, and he has been one of the best players for Los Blancos. The 32-year-old might not have the limelight, but he is surely giving it his all on the pitch.
In his 16 league appearances this season, the right-sided full-back has scored three goals and has bagged two assists. His work rate has been second to none, and Ancelotti will expect the Spanish international once again to step up and get the job done.
Prediction
Getafe 1-3 Real Madrid
Real Madrid have been unbeaten in their last 15 league games, and they are favourites heading into this fixture as well. While they have not been at their best since the turn of the calendar, they are still getting the job done, and that is exactly what they need at this stage to be in the driving seat for the league title.
As far as Getafe is concerned, they have produced some quality performances during this campaign. But they might not have enough in their tank to take down Real Madrid. They will surely make it difficult but eventually, the visitors will come out on top. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Real Madrid.