Real Madrid vs Getafe

La Liga champions Real Madrid’s quest for redemption after another continental fiasco begins at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu against local rivals Getafe. 

These are unpleasant times in Madrid as Real slumped to their third consecutive UEFA Champions League defeat in the build-up to this clash, suffering a 2-0 loss at Liverpool. With their European campaign on the brink of collapse, ‘Los Merengues’ must atone in La Liga, where they currently trail table-topping Barcelona by four points, albeit with a game in hand. Carlo Ancelotti’s side thumped Leganes 3-0 on the road last weekend, posting their second consecutive league triumph by 3+ goals ‘to nil.’ Getafe’s visit should be another day in the office for Real Madrid, who have won their last 15 top-flight H2Hs at the Bernabeu. However, with five of their six most recent duels at this venue featuring under 2.5 goals, fans in attendance could be in for a tepid contest.

Low scoring has been a common theme in Getafe’s La Liga matches this season, as a league-high 13 of their 14 top-flight outings have contained under 2.5 goals. Furthermore, a lack of firepower has seen the visitors fail to get on the scoresheet in three of their six La Liga travels (D2, L4), with all four defeats yielding a tight one-goal margin. However, Jose Bordalas’ side received the ultimate confidence booster ahead of this trip, beating Real Valladolid 2-0 last time out to snap a dismal five-game winless league streak (D3, L2). That’s hardly enough to encourage Bordalas, who has never defeated Real Madrid in his managerial career, suffering 11 defeats across his 13 previous meetings with ‘Los Blancos’ (D2).