Getafevs.Rayo Vallecano

Los Franjirrojos recorded an impressive 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad in their season opener, while Getafe picked up a welcome point away to Athletic Bilbao.

Match preview

Getafe fell behind in the 27th minute of their La Liga clash against Athletic on August 15, with Oihan Sancet making the breakthrough, but Christantus Uche came up with a leveller on his debut to secure a share of the spoils.

The Deep Blue Ones will now be eyeing all three points in their opening home game of the new season, and there has been a lot of change at the club this summer, with a number of players both arriving and departing.

Jose Bordalas's side finished 12th in Spain's top flight last season, which was an improvement on their three previous campaigns, which saw them claim 15th on each occasion.

Getafe have only played outside of Spain's top flight on one occasion since 2004, so it would be a surprise if they found themselves in relegation trouble this season, but it is certainly not impossible.

The capital outfit have not managed to overcome Rayo in La Liga since February 2019, but the points were shared in a goalless draw when they locked horns for the corresponding fixture last term.

Rayo are unbeaten in their last six La Liga games against Getafe, although four of those fixtures have finished level, and there is not much between the two teams in terms of quality.

Inigo Perez's side made an excellent start to their 2024-25 campaign, producing one of the performances of the opening set of La Liga fixtures, as Jorge de Frutos and Sergio Camello found the back of the net in a 2-1 success over Real Sociedad at Reale Arena.

Rayo have boosted their squad with the signings of four players this summer, while there have been five departures, including Stole Dimitrievski and Radamel Falcao.

Los Franjirrojos finished 17th in La Liga last season, only avoiding relegation by five points, so there is plenty of room for improvement during the 2024-25 campaign.

Rayo are currently enjoying their best run of seasons at this level since 2016, and there were a lot of positive signs in their campaign opener against Real Sociedad, with their performance also leaving a huge impression.

Getafe La Liga form:

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:

Team News

Getafe were missing star forward Borja Mayoral against Athletic, with the Spaniard not yet ready to return after a serious knee injury, and he is again unlikely to be risked here.

As a result, it is likely that Uche will continue as the centre-forward, with Alex Sola and Carles Perez operating in the wide positions for the home side.

Head coach Bordalas is again set to stick with a 4-5-1 formation, including 21-year-old Nabil Aberdin, who could have an important role to play for Getafe this season.

There could be a change in midfield if Mauro Arambarri fails a late fitness test on a muscular issue, though, with Carles Alena in line to come into the side.

As for Rayo, Raul de Tomas is again expected to miss out through injury, but the visitors are otherwise in excellent shape for their second match of the new campaign.

Head coach Perez is set to select the majority of the players that started against Real Sociedad, but there could be two changes, with Gerard Gumbau in line for a full debut in midfield, so Unai Lopez could drop out.

Sergio Camello, who scored twice for Spain in the Olympic final against France, came off the bench to register against Real Sociedad, meanwhile, and he is also now expected to start.

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Iglesias, Dakonam, Alderete, Rico; Perez, Milla, Aberdin, Alena, Sola; Uche

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Cardenas; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Espino; De Frutos, Gumbau, Valentin, Embarba; Camello, Palazon

We say: Getafe 1-1 Rayo Vallecano

Four of the last five La Liga matches between these two sides have finished level, and we are finding it difficult to separate them here. Both picked up strong results in the first set of La Liga fixtures this season, and a point here would certainly not be the worst result for either side.

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