Real Madrid will be looking to return to winning ways in La Liga when they make the short trip to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday to take on Getafe.
Los Blancos ended 2019 with three straight draws, but Zinedine Zidane's side are still second in the table, just two points off leaders Barcelona on the same number of matches.
Match preview
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Madrid have not been without their problems this season, but it would be fair to say that the first half of the 2019-20 campaign was a success for the capital giants. Indeed, they booked their spot in the knockout round of the Champions League and are also very much in the title argument at this stage.
A record of 10 wins, seven draws and one loss from 18 matches has seen Zidane's side collect 37 points, just two points off leaders Barcelona, who face a trip to Catalan rivals Espanyol this weekend.
Madrid are actually unbeaten in all competitions since the 1-0 loss at Mallorca on October 19, but they ended 2019 with three straight league draws, sharing the points with Valencia, Barca and Athletic Bilbao.
Only three teams have drawn more league matches than Los Blancos this term, but no side has lost fewer games. Madrid were excellent at Camp Nou last month, and their performance in El Clasico would have given their fans plenty of reason to be confident heading into the second half of the campaign.
The European giants are also unbeaten in their last 11 league matches with Getafe, although the points were shared in a goalless draw in the corresponding match during the 2018-19 campaign.
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Getafe will be the underdogs heading into this weekend's contest, and the omens are not exactly terrific for the home side considering that they have not beaten Madrid in La Liga since August 2012.
That said, Jose Bordalas's side are enjoying another strong campaign, sitting sixth in La Liga with 30 points to show from their 18 matches, just two points off fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.
The capital side just fell short in the race for Champions League qualification last season as they finished fifth, but there have once again been plenty of positive signs during the 2019-20 campaign.
Getafe have actually lost just one of their last nine matches in all competitions, which was a 1-0 defeat at Villarreal before the international break. Bordalas's team have progressed in both the Europa League and Copa del Rey, while they have won five of their last eight in the league during a strong run.
Getafe La Liga form: DDWWWL
Getafe form (all competitions): WWWWWL
Real Madrid La Liga form: WWWDDD
Real Madrid form (all competitions): WWWDDD
Team News
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Getafe will be without the services of Mathias Olivera through suspension, while Kenedy, Enric Gallego and Markel Bergara are all expected to miss out through injury.
Jaime Mata and Jorge Molina have eight league goals between them this season and should continue in the final third, while Jason and Marc Cucurella are in line to feature in midfield.
As for Madrid, both Eden Hazard and Marco Asensio remain on the sidelines with long-term injuries, while club captain Sergio Ramos will not be involved this weekend through suspension.
Lucas Vazquez, Marcelo and James Rodriguez all trained with the main group on Wednesday, though, with Zidane's side being handed a huge fitness boost ahead of the contest.
That said, it would be a surprise if any of the three started against Getafe due to their recent issues, meaning that the bulk of the XI is likely to remain the same from the Bilbao clash, although key midfielder Casemiro is available following a domestic ban.
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Suarez, Djene, Cabrera, Nyom; Jason, Arambarri, Maksimovic, Cucurella; Molina, Mata
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Casemiro, Kroos; Isco, Benzema, Rodrygo
We say: Getafe 1-2 Real Madrid
Getafe are more than capable of giving Madrid a tough examination on home soil, but we just about fancy Zidane's side to return to winning ways courtesy of a narrow success in the capital.
Matt Law
