Preview: Getafe vs. Valencia - prediction, team news, lineups

Relegation-threatened Getafe will be hoping to avoid their fifth consecutive La Liga defeat this weekend when they entertain Valencia at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Valencia, who have blown hot and cold this season, have had a change in fortunes in recent weeks and will be looking to make it back-to-back victories for the first time this season.

Match preview

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After an impressive run of form in January that saw Jose Bordalas 's Getafe side haul themselves out of the division's danger zone, a poor run of recent results has seen El Geta playing with fire once again.

Currently 15th in the standings, El Geta have 24 points to their name, just three more than 18th-placed Eibar.

Their 1-0 loss to Real Betis in Andalusia last time out was the team's fifth defeat in six consecutive league outings, a run that saw El Geta pick up just one point and score just one goal.

Against Betis, the home side were lucky to come away with the three points, with Borja Iglesias scoring a late penalty for Los Verdiblancos. El Geta, for their part, did very little to win the tie, notching just one shot on target.

Following the loss, rumours began circulating that suggested Bordalas's largely successful tenure at the club could be coming to a close.

Sources indicate that the Bordalas has just two games to save his job, while others suggest former Getafe boss Michel could be in pole position to replace the Alicante-born coach.

It goes without saying that this weekend's clash will play a crucial role in the club's immediate decision making.

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Valencia, on the other hand, whose campaign had been embroiled in turmoil before it had even begun, have been picking up some good results in recent weeks.

For Los Che boss Javi Gracia, this season has become all about keeping the chaos at bay and given the club's off-field issues, the Pamplona coach appears to be doing a fairly convincing job.

Valencia are currently 12th in the table and three points on Saturday could see them climb as high as ninth.

Against Celta Vigo last time out, Gracia's men left it very late but eventually beat the Galicians 2-0. The heroes of the hour were Manu Vallejo and Kevin Gameiro, who both found the net in added time.

Following the crucial victory, Gracia told that press that he was "optimistic" about the future of the club: "I hope that this victory will help us to strengthen our spirits and our confidence."

Three points against El Geta this weekend could go a long way in terms of putting Valencia's league woes behind them.

Getafe La Liga form: LDLLLL

Valencia La Liga form: DLWDLW

Valencia form (all competitions): LLWDLW

Team News

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After lacking any real attacking creativity against Betis, Bordalas could be prompted into reinstating Carles Alena, Takefusa Kubo and Jaime Mata in the starting XI.

In terms of absentees, Bordalas has an entirely fit squad to choose from.

Gracia's own first team is also in fairly good nick coming into this tie, however, several regulars are unavailable.

Denis Cheryshev and Mouctar Diakhaby are both out with minor injuries

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Djene, Cabaco, Chakla, Oivera; Nyom, Alena, Arambarri, Maksimovic, Cucurella; Mata

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Cillessen; Correia, Gabriel, Guillamon, Gaya; Wass, Racic, Soler, Lee; Gomez, Vallejo

We say: Getafe 0-2 Valencia

Bordalas's Getafe side are on a self-destructive path and we think Valencia certainly have what it takes to inflict another damning result on the metropolitan club. We are going for a 2-0 win for Los Che.

Top tip

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