Getafe manager Quique Sánchez Flores remained defiant in the face of their latest loss, however, stating that his team played at “a very high level”.
Getafe
Sitting just two points above the drop zone, Getafe host Espanyol for a potentially crucial La Liga clash, with the hosts’ struggles continuing into the new year after a 2-1 defeat at Sevilla just days after being eliminated from the Copa del Rey. Getafe manager Quique Sánchez Flores remained defiant in the face of their latest loss, however, stating that his team played at “a very high level”. Having now won just two of their previous ten La Liga games, the Azulones desperately need to put together a run of good results, which won’t be easy with Barcelona, Betis and Atlético on the horizon. A return home is at least welcomed, considering Getafe are unbeaten in their last three La Liga home games, which means they now have the chance to win successive league games here for the first time since February 2022!
Espanyol
It might be an ideal time to face 19th-placed Espanyol, too, considering they’ve failed to win in their last seven La Liga contests held in Getafe. That’s contributed to a dire run which has seen the Periquitos triumph in just one of their away league games this campaign, and considering they haven’t won an H2H here for nearly ten years; this could be an uphill battle. They did beat Getafe 2-0 the last time they met, however (2-0), and sitting one point from safety ahead of the round, Espanyol’s ability to grind out points could be helpful. Each of their last three away league games ended 1-1, and considering their opponents have failed to score more than once in four of their last six league outings, a repeat scoreline in this contest wouldn’t be a major surprise!
Getafe’s keeper David Soria has faced Espanyol’s Joselu five times, with each contest ending all-square. He’ll need to be on top form again, considering the forward scored in his side’s 2-2 draw to Girona last time out and has also been involved in exactly one goal in each of their last three away outings. Espanyol’s eight La Liga draws is the most they’ve recorded at this stage of a campaign since 1972/73.