Preview: Getafe vs. Rayo Vallecano - prediction, team news, lineups

Jose Bordalas's side, who are eighth in the table, drew 3-3 with Atletico Madrid in their final match before the winter break, while 11th-placed Rayo lost 1-0 at home to Valencia last time out.

Match preview

Girona must be regarded as the surprise package in La Liga this season due to their incredible form, but Getafe's performances and results are also a big story, with the capital outfit sitting in eighth position in the La Liga table after 18 matches.

Bordalas's team boast a record of six wins, eight draws and four defeats in the league this season, with a total of 26 points leaving them just two points off seventh-placed Real Betis, while they are only five points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad ahead of the opening set of fixtures in 2024.

Getafe will bring a four-game unbeaten run into this match, three of which have been victories, including league successes over Valencia and Sevilla.

The capital outfit drew 3-3 away to Atletico before the winter break, meanwhile, with two goals in the final stages of the clash at Wanda Metropolitano seeing the visitors pick up an excellent point.

The Deep Blue Ones, who have finished 15th in each of their last three campaigns at this level, are unbeaten on home soil in the league this season, winning five and drawing three of their eight matches.

Rayo, meanwhile, have the sixth-best away record in the division this season, with 12 of their 20 points in the league during the 2023-24 campaign coming on their travels.

Francisco's side currently sit in 11th position in Spain's top flight, boasting a record of four wins, eight draws and six defeats, so they have been relatively difficult to beat this term, but too many draws have cost them the chance to move higher up the division.

Los Franjirrojos have not actually been victorious in the league since October 22, and they have lost three of their last four league matches, including their last two against Osasuna and Valencia.

Goals have been a problem for Rayo this season, only finding the back of the net on 16 occasions, and Francisco has struggled to find the right formula in the final third of the field, with Sergio Camello and Raul de Tomas both making 14 league appearances this season without finding the back of the net.

Each of the last three league meetings between these two sides have finished level, including a 1-1 draw in the corresponding match last term, while Rayo have not beaten Getafe on their travels since January 2015.

Getafe La Liga form:

D

W

L

W

W

D

Getafe form (all competitions):

W

L

W

W

W

D

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:

L

D

L

D

L

L

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):

D

L

W

D

L

L

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Team News

Getafe will again be without the services of Mauro Arambarri due to a long-term knee problem, while Oscar Rodriguez is suspended due to the booking that he picked up last time out against Atletico.

Damian Suarez could come into the defence for this match, but it might otherwise be the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Atletico.

Borja Mayoral has scored 12 league goals during the 2023-24 campaign and will again feature in the final third, while there will be another start for on-loan Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood, who is currently being heavily linked with a move to Barcelona.

As for Rayo, Oscar Trejo is out of action due to a muscular problem, while Oscar Valentin will require a late fitness test due to a muscular issue of his own.

Head coach Francisco is expected to make a couple of changes to the side that started the 1-0 loss to Valencia before the international break, with Bebe and Randy Nteka potentially coming in for starts.

De Tomas should keep his spot in the final third despite his lack of goals this season, while Unai Lopez is again expected to be given the nod in central midfield on Tuesday.

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Suarez, Duarte, Alvarez, Rico; Greenwood, Milla, Maksimovic, Mata; Mayoral, Latasa

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Dimitrievski; Ratiu, Mumin, Lejeune, Chavarria; Palazon, U Lopez, Ciss, Bebe; Nteka, De Tomas

We say: Getafe 2-1 Rayo Vallecano

Both of these sides have drawn eight times in the league this season, so it would not be a surprise to see the points shared on Tuesday, which has been the case in their last three meetings. However, Getafe's form ahead of the winter break was excellent, and we are backing them to shade this clash.

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