Preview: Getafe vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Getafe will be looking to boost their chances of a top-four finish in Spain's top flight when they welcome Real Sociedad to the Spanish capital on Monday night.

The home side currently sit fifth in the table, five points off fourth-placed Sevilla, while Sociedad have dropped to seventh following a run of three straight defeats.

Match preview

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Getafe only just missed out on a top-four spot last season as they ended the campaign in fifth, and they are once again in the argument for a potential Champions League finish this term.

Indeed, a record of 13 wins, 10 draws and eight defeats from 31 matches has left them in fifth position in the table, five points behind fourth-placed Sevilla, who have played a game more.

The capital side are currently on a five-game winless run in La Liga, though, and have picked up just three points from their four matches since resuming their campaign earlier this month.

Indeed, a 2-1 loss at Granada on June 12 has been followed by draws against Espanyol, Eibar and Real Valladolid, which has seen them lose ground on the Champions League positions.

Jose Bordalas 's side are still in a decent spot when it comes to a top-four finish, though, and they will be eyeing their 14th La Liga victory of the 2019-20 campaign on Monday night.

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Sociedad, meanwhile, have seen their top-four chances take a huge hit since the restart, having picked up just one point from four games, losing their last three during a poor run of form.

Indeed, since drawing 1-1 with Osasuna on June 14, the Basque outfit have lost to Alaves, Real Madrid and Celta Vigo to drop down into seventh position in the table, now seven points off the top four.

A win for Sociedad on Monday would move them to within four points of Sevilla on the same number of games, though, which is an indication of the importance of this particular contest.

Imanol Alguacil 's side have been fairly strong on their travels this term, picking up 20 points from 15 matches, but they have actually lost five of their last six La Liga matches against Getafe, including a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture earlier this season.

Getafe La Liga form: WDLDDD

Real Sociedad La Liga form: LWDLLL

Team News

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Getafe will be without the services of key centre-back Djene Dakonam due to the yellow card that he picked up against Valladolid last time out, while Erick Cabaco is still struggling with an ankle injury. As a result, Chema Rodriguez could start alongside Xabier Etxeita in central defence.

The hosts could also be without midfielder Oghenekaro Etebo through injury, but Filip Manojlovic should be available following a spell on the sidelines.

Jorge Molina looks likely to return to the final third alongside Jaime Mata, while Allan Nyom could again feature ahead of Damian Suarez down the right.

As for Sociedad, key defender Diego Llorente is suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up against Celta, which could see Robin Le Normand return to the side in central defence.

Asier Illarramendi, Ander Barrenetxea, Luca Sangalli and Ander Guevara are all injured, meanwhile, with the Basque outfit far from at full strength at this moment in time.

There are expected to be changes from the side that started on Wednesday, though, with Portu, Aihen Munoz and Igor Zubeldia likely to rotate into the XI.

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Suarez, Etxeita, Rodriguez, Olivera; Cucurella, Arambarri, Maksimovic, Nyom; Mata, Molina

Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Zaldua, Elustondo, Le Normand, Munoz; Odegaard, Zubeldia, Merino; Oyarzabal, Willian Jose, Portu

We say: Getafe 1-1 Real Sociedad

This is a really big game for both sides as they chase down the top four. Getafe's recent record against Sociedad is excellent, but the Basque outfit are due to a positive result, and we are backing a draw here.