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

The visitors, who have risen into 11th spot in the table, will enter the contest off the back of a 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao, while 19th-placed Getafe suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal last time out.

Match preview

Getafe brought a three-game unbeaten run in Spain's top flight into their contest with Villarreal on Monday, but they suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Yellow Submarine, with Quique Setien's side coming from behind to triumph.

The result saw the capital side drop into 19th position in the table, collecting 22 points this term courtesy of a record of five wins, seven draws and 11 defeats.

It is not quite panic stations for Quique Sanchez Flores's side, though, as they are only two points behind 17th-placed Real Valladolid on the same number of matches (23).

Getafe have only played outside of La Liga for one season since 2004, so it would be a surprise to see them relegated to the Segunda Division for the 2023-24 campaign.

The Deep Blue Ones recorded a 2-0 victory over Girona when the two sides last met in the Spanish capital, but they suffered a 3-1 loss in the corresponding match back in August.

Girona's home form this season has been a key part of their success, with the Catalan outfit picking up 21 points from their 12 matches in front of their own supporters.

The White and Reds have found it more difficult on their travels, only managing nine points from 11 matches, but they will be visiting a Getafe side that have picked up just 13 points from their 12 games at home.

Girona's recent form has been impressive, winning three of their last four in the league, including their last two against Almeria and Athletic Bilbao, putting six past the former on February 17 before recording a 3-2 victory over the latter last time out.

A total of 30 points from 23 matches has left Michel's side in 11th position in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone, which is a healthy advantage at this stage of the campaign.

Girona only secured a return to this level through last season's Segunda Division playoffs, but they have certainly proved that they can compete at this level, and the Catalan team will be bidding to do the league double over Getafe this season.

Getafe La Liga form:

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Girona La Liga form:

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Team News

Getafe had a fully-fit squad against Villarreal last time out and that is again expected to be the case for this match, but there could be a couple of changes from the 2-1 loss.

Carles Alena is expected to return in a midfield position for the home team, while Munir El Haddadi could also be introduced in the final third of the field alongside Borja Mayoral and Enes Unal.

Angel Algobia and Gonzalo Villar are also among the options for change, but Flores is likely to resist the temptation to make wholesale alterations from the defeat last time out.

As for Girona, Toni Villa, Yangel Herrera, Yan Couto and Ibrahima Kebe will miss the match through injury.

Head coach Michel will have been delighted with the performance at Athletic last time out, so it would not be a surprise to see the same starting XI from the 3-2 success.

Aleix Garcia and Borja Garcia should therefore operate in central areas, with Valentin Castellanos, who has scored five league goals this season, continuing in the final third of the field.

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Dakonam, Duarte, Alderete, Alvarez; Alena, Arambarri, Maksimovic; Munir, Unal, Mayoral

Girona possible starting lineup:

Gazzaniga; A Martinez, Bueno, Juanpe, J Hernandez; Tsygankov, A Garcia, Romeu, B Garcia, Riquelme; Castellanos

We say: Getafe 1-1 Girona

Girona will enter this match in excellent form, but they have only won twice on their travels in the league this season, so it is difficult to back them with any real confidence. Getafe are better than what they have shown for much of the campaign, and we are tipping the hosts to secure a share of the spoils here.

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