MX23RW : Friday, April 26 06:28:48| >> :120:24854:24854:
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Getafe logo
La Liga
Oct 31, 2015 at 7.30pm UK
 
Barcelona logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Suarez (37'), Neymar (58')

Preview: Getafe vs. Barcelona

Sports Mole previews the La Liga clash between struggling Getafe and defending champions Barcelona.

Barcelona will be looking to keep the pressure on Real Madrid when they travel to Getafe in La Liga at the weekend.

The reigning champions are level on points with the league leaders, but they face a side that have lost just once in their last four outings.


Getafe

General view of the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium ahead the La Liga match between Getafe CF and Elche FC at Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium on November 9, 2013© Getty Images

Getafe suffered their first defeat in four matches last time out, slipping to a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Sevilla, which is their heaviest loss so far this season.

The result leaves the team sitting 13th in the Spanish top flight ahead of the visit of the Catalan side, four points clear of the relegation zone but just three points outside the European places.

Prior to last weekend's defeat, Getafe had been in impressive form, keeping three clean sheets in a row, while securing comfortable wins over Levante and Las Palmas, as well as sharing a goalless draw with Celta Vigo.

Fran Escriba's side have a total of four clean sheets in the league so far this season – only four sides have more – but they have struggled to keep goals out, conceding 13 times in their first nine fixtures.

This weekend's hosts have struggled to be consistent down the other end of the pitch as well, failing to score against their opponents four times so far this season, while seven of their 10 goals came from just two fixtures.

Getafe have produced their best football when on home soil this season, winning three of their four fixtures at Coliseum Alfonso Perez compared with just one win from five matches away from home.

Recent form: WLWDWL


Barcelona

Barcelona's Uruguayan forward Luis Suarez (C) celebrates a goal with teammates Brazilian forward Neymar (R) and midfielder Sergio Busquets (L) during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs SD Eibar at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on Octobe© Getty Images

Last weekend's 3-1 win over Eibar has kept Barcelona level on points with league leaders Real Madrid coming into this match, while also leaving the team with three wins from their last four La Liga outings.

Luis Suarez marked the anniversary of his debut for the club with a hat-trick, but there was controversy as Javier Mascherano was sent off late on for dissent, which has resulted in a ban for the Argentina international. The midfielder has also been in the news because of his tax case in recent days.

The Spanish and European champions also began the defence of their Copa del Rey title this week, but were held to a goalless draw with third-tier side Villanovense.

Barcelona have struggled defensively so far this season, keeping clean sheets in just two of their league matches so far, while letting in 12 goals – four times as many as the league leaders.

The team's attacking has been as strong as ever though, with 20 goals from their nine matches, led by top-scorer Neymar, who has eight goals in La Liga so far, including four in the 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano earlier this month.

Luis Enrique's side have taken maximum points from their home matches so far, but have struggled away from Camp Nou, winning just two of their first four matches on the road.

Recent form: WLWLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWWD


Team News

Javier Mascherano for Barcelona on February 11, 2015© Getty Images

Mascherano begins a two-match suspension, having been sent off for verbally abusing an assistant referee in the win over Eibar. He will be back for next month's El Clasico though.

The visitors will also have to cope without Douglas for the next couple of months after the defender suffered a scaphoid fracture in his foot during Wednesday's Cope del Rey fixture, in what was his first start since injuring his hamstring in pre-season.

Sergi Roberto and Andres Iniesta remain doubts for the match with groin and hamstring injuries respectively, while Lionel Messi is still sidelined with a knee injury.

The home side will be without Carlos Vigaray after he was sent off last weekend, while Alexis is expected to be available, despite picking up a knock last time out.

Getafe possible starting lineup:
Guaita, Ruano, Lago, Vergini, Cala, Lacen, Sarabia, Leon, Rodriguez, Wanderson, Scepovic

Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Bravo, Pique, Alves, Bartra, Alba, Rakitic, Busquets, Gerard, Suarez, Neymar, Ramirez


Head To Head

When the sides last met in April, Barcelona secured a 6-0 win over this weekend's opponents, but they were held to a goalless draw on their last visit to Getafe's ground.

Since Getafe claimed a 1-0 win over Barcelona in 2011, the Catalan side have secured seven wins and two draws in nine meetings.

This will be the 27th meeting between the two sides, with Barcelona winning 18 of the previous 26 fixtures, while Getafe have won just three matches.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Getafe 1-3 Barcelona

Having had a few more days to prepare for this match than their opponents, Getafe will see this fixture as a chance to break their winless run against Barcelona, but the form of Neymar and Suarez will make the visitors difficult to beat, even if the champions cannot keep a clean sheet.



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Sandro Ramirez of FC Barcelona in action during the pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and SSC Napoli on August 6, 2014
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid32256170224881
2Barcelona32217464372770
3GironaGirona32215667402768
4Atletico MadridAtletico32194959382161
5Athletic Bilbao321610652302258
6Real Sociedad321312746341251
7Real BetisBetis32121284038248
8Valencia32138113534147
9Villarreal32119125155-442
10Getafe32913103844-640
11Osasuna32116153746-939
12Sevilla32910134145-437
13Las PalmasLas Palmas32107153039-937
14AlavesAlaves3298152838-1035
15Rayo Vallecano32713122739-1234
16Celta Vigo32710153747-1031
17Mallorca32613132638-1231
18CadizCadiz32413152245-2325
19Granada3239203361-2818
20Almeria32111203164-3314


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