Real Madrid travel to Getafe on the weekend on the back of a sensational turnaround victory in their Champions League tie against Wolfsburg. With Barcelona having stuttered in their league campaign and having been knocked out of the Champions League, Real Madrid will be on the rampage.
With only four points separating the Clasico rivals, Real Madrid will look to mount some tangible pressure on the Catalan side with only a few games left, hoping that Barcelona slip up.
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Kickoff and Live Telecast
Date and Time: 16 April 2016; 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Coliseum Alfonso Perez
Live Stream: Starsports.com
Betting Odds: Getafe - 17/2; Draw - 5/1; Real Madrid - 2/7 via Bet365
Team News
Getafe
Getafe enter the game with Emiliano Velazquez missing through a muscle problem picked up in training. Alvaro Medran misses the game with a ban which could see Mehdi Lacen and Juan Rodriguez continue their partnership in midfield. Santiago Vergini should start the game after returning from suspension.
Real Madrid
Sergio Ramos returns to the side having served a ban. Danilo misses out via a ban and James Rodriguez may finally get a start. Casemiro might be rested with Toni Kroos getting to play at the base of midfield. Either Pepe or Raphael Varane may partner Sergio Ramos in defence.
Probable Line-ups
Getafe(4-2-3-1): Guaita; Suarez, Vergini, Cala, Pereira; J.Rodriguez, Lacen; Sarabia, Leon, V. Rodriguez; Vazquez
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric, Rodriguez; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema
Form
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have been on a decent streak of form having lost only once in the last five games. The loss came against Wolfsburg in the Champions League in an away game. The remaining games Real Madrid have won which includes a victory against El Clasico rivals Barcelona.
Last 5 Matches: W-W-L-W-W (Last Match: Real Madrid 3-0 Wolfsburg)
Getafe
Getafe have been terrible since the turn of the year and seem set to continue their poor form of late with their last game having been a resounding loss to Villarreal having lost the game by two goals to none.
They have drawn only twice in their last five games and were even thrashed 6-0 by a rampant Barcelona side away at the Camp Nou. Getafe have conceded 12 goals in their last 5 games and will have a tough time not adding to that tally in this game.
Last 5 Matches: D-L-D-L-L ( Last match: Villarreal 2-0 Getafe)
Key Stats:
- Getafe have been losing at both half time and full time in 9 out of their last 12 La Liga Matches
- Real Madrid have scored at least 3 goals in their last 6 matches against Getafe in all competitions.
- Getafe have failed to score in 9 of their last 11 La Liga matches.
- Real Madrid have won their last 6 games in La Liga.
Key Battles:
Karim Benzema vs Santiago Vergini
Santiago Vergini comes in from having served a ban and the ex-Sunderland defender will have to deal with the pace, power and absolute desire of Karim Benzema. Benzema has had a tough season off the pitch but a very strong one on it.
The Frenchman has scored freely again this season for Madrid and considering the sort of form Getafe are in, it would serve as no surprise if Benzema decided to add to his tally here on this night.
He would, however, need to get past the Argentine, Vergini who could, on his day prove to be a solid defender. In the absence of the impressive Emiliano Velazquez, the primary responsibility of marshalling the defence will be his and it is yet to be seen how he rises to the occasion.
Pablo Sarabia vs Dani Carvajal
In a season that has been poor, Pablo Sarabia has been a rare bright spark for a Getafe side destined for relegation. Stuck at the bottom of the table, if this Getafe side are to even hope of a result on the night, they would need players like Pablo Sarabia at his best.
The Spanish midfielder has 5 goals and 5 assists to his name in 25 appearances in La Liga this season which isn’t a bad number for a team that has lesser points than games played at this point in the season.
Sarabia will have to face the vastly impressive Dani Carvajal on the night which makes his task considerably difficult. Dani Carvajal has had his critics during his tenure at Real Madrid but he has been a regular feature in the team this season and has never failed to impress when called upon.
The Spanish right-back seems set to finish the season strongly and will pose a considerable hurdle to Pablo Sarbia’s attempts to spoil Real Madrid’s party.
Prediction
Real Madrid are way too strong for a Getafe side which seems to have all but given up at the moment. It seems unlikely that Getafe will get a result on the night and it will prove to be a task for them to prevent an absolute hiding.
Getafe 0-3 Real Madrid
