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

Getafe will be looking to get their faltering top-four challenge back on track in Spain's top flight when they travel to Real Valladolid on Tuesday night.

The visitors have gone four La Liga games without a win to drop four points off the Champions League spots, while Valladolid currently sit 15th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

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Valladolid claimed 16th in La Liga last season after returning to the top flight following a four-year absence, and it does appear that they are heading for a similar position this time around.

A record of seven wins, 12 draws and 11 defeats from their 30 matches has left them in 15th spot in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone, which is currently occupied by Mallorca, Leganes and Espanyol.

It would be a surprise to see Sergio Gonzalez 's side pulled into trouble at this stage, and they have picked up four points from their three games since returning to action on June 13.

Valladolid will enter Tuesday's match off the back of a defeat, but Atletico Madrid needed a late goal from Vitolo to secure all three points from their encounter on Saturday.

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Getafe, meanwhile, finished fifth in La Liga last season, only just missing out on a spot in the Champions League, but they have made another challenge for the top four this term.

As it stands, the capital outfit are fifth in the table, four points behind fourth-placed Sevilla and third-placed Atletico, but they are without a victory in their last four league matches.

Indeed, Jose Bordalas 's side lost 2-1 at Granada on June 12 before drawing back-to-back games against Espanyol and Eibar, which has seen their Champions League challenge lose a bit of momentum.

Getafe will be determined to return to winning ways on Tuesday considering that their next two in Spain's top flight are at home to Real Sociedad and away to Real Madrid.

The capital side recorded a 2-0 victory when they hosted Valladolid earlier this season but three of their last four meetings in Spain's top flight have ended with a share of the spoils.

Valladolid La Liga form: WLLWDL

Getafe La Liga form: LWDLDD

Getafe form (all competitions): LWDLDD

Team News

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Valladolid are again expected to be without the services of Pedro Porro and Sandro Ramirez for Tuesday's match, but the hosts have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the contest.

Gonzalez is expected to shuffle his pack from the side that started at the Wanda Metropolitano with Mohammed Salisu, Oscar Plano and Ruben Alcaraz all in line for recalls.

Enes Unal should also return to the starting XI, potentially partnering Sergi Guardiola in attack.

As for Getafe, Erick Cabaco and Filip Manojlovic are still out with ankle and back problems, but the visitors are otherwise in good shape in terms of injuries.

Bordalas is likely to make changes from the side that drew against Eibar, with Jorge Molina, Allan Nyom and Nemanja Maksimovic all expected to return to the starting side.

Jaime Mata is Getafe's leading goalscorer in the league this season with eight, and the 31-year-old should continue in the final third of the field.

Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Masip; Moyano, Fernandez, Salisu, Martinez; Suarez, Michel, Alcaraz, Plano; Unal, Guardiola

Getafe possible starting lineup:

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

We say: Valladolid 0-1 Getafe

Getafe will have to start picking up wins if they are to claim a top-four spot come the end of the season. Valladolid were impressive away to Atletico last time out, but we just have a feeling that the visitors will record a narrow victory at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla.