Two football clubs vying for positions in the upper echelons of the La Liga standings this season are poised to compete at Mestalla on Saturday afternoon, as Valencia hosts Getafe in what promises to be a compelling encounter.
Valencia currently occupies the ninth position in the league table, having accumulated 37 points from their 26 matches played thus far in the season. Conversely, Getafe holds the 11th position, trailing their opponents by two points, having competed in one additional match.
Match preview
Last weekend, Valencia assumed a 2-0 lead against division leaders Real Madrid, courtesy of goals from Hugo Duro and Roman Yaremchuk within the opening 30 minutes. However, Vinicius Junior’s brace for Los Blancos ensured a parity of the outcome.
Ruben Baraja’s team can derive substantial optimism from their encounter with Real Madrid. Nevertheless, they have registered just one victory in their last five league matches following a sequence of four consecutive wins spanning from December 19 to January 20.
Valencia currently occupies the ninth position in the league standings, amassing 37 points from 10 victories, seven draws, and nine defeats, placing them five points adrift of sixth-placed Real Betis with a match in hand.
Thus, the prospect of a European qualification remains viable for Los Che, particularly given their commendable home form this season, having secured 25 points from 13 matches, including seven victories.
Despite securing a 5-1 triumph in their previous meeting with Getafe last season, Valencia has succumbed to 1-0 defeats in their last two encounters, notably the reverse fixture in Madrid in December.
Conversely, Getafe heads into this fixture following a 3-3 draw against Las Palmas at home. Despite initially leading 2-0 and 3-1, the capital side was forced to settle for a draw.
Jose Bordalas’s team has amassed 35 points from eight victories, 11 draws, and eight defeats in 27 league matches this season, positioning them in 11th place, just two points behind eighth-placed Las Palmas.
Having consistently finished 15th in the past three campaigns, Getafe has the opportunity to secure a top-half finish this season, contingent upon maintaining consistency in the remaining months.
However, Getafe’s recent league form has been lackluster, with just one win in their last six matches, accompanied by three draws. Their most recent away fixture in La Liga resulted in a 4-0 defeat against Barcelona on February 24.
Bordalas’s side has managed just one victory on the road in La Liga this season, although they have secured draws in seven of their 14 away fixtures, including matches against Athletic Bilbao and Atletico Madrid.
Team News
Valencia will be compelled to modify their starting lineup following a setback suffered by Mouctar Diakhaby during their recent encounter with Real Madrid, wherein he sustained a significant knee injury.
It is anticipated that Cenk Ozkacar will step in to replace Diakhaby in the central defensive position, potentially constituting the sole adjustment from the lineup that commenced the match against Los Blancos.
Yaremchuk’s participation hinges on the outcome of a late fitness evaluation concerning a muscular issue, while Hugo Guillamon is vying for inclusion in the starting eleven after being relegated to the bench during the 2-2 draw with the league leaders.
On the other hand, Getafe has been deprived of their top scorer, Borja Mayoral, for the remainder of the season due to a severe knee injury sustained in their previous fixture against Las Palmas.
Additionally, Mauro Arambarri’s season has been prematurely concluded due to an ACL injury, and Mason Greenwood is suspended following the accumulation of a milestone yellow card during the Las Palmas encounter.
Consequently, Getafe will be devoid of two key offensive assets for the upcoming match, potentially necessitating the inclusion of Oscar Rodriguez and Juanmi Latasa in the lineup. Furthermore, Djene Dakonam and Omar Alderete are expected to feature in the starting eleven after serving suspensions and missing the team’s last match.
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Ozkacar, Gaya; Perez, Pepelu, Guerra, Canos; Duro, Yaremchuk
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Dakonam, Alderete, Alvarez, Rico; Maksimovic, Milla, Moriba; Rodriguez, Latasa, Mata