Prediction: Getafe vs Espanyol – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts

Verdict: Getafe win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster

In what is a real relegation six-pointer at the foot of the La Liga table, Getafe will welcome Espanyol to Madrid on Monday night.

Getafe

Starting with the hosts, while Getafe might have marked their return from November’s international break with a much-needed 2-0 win against Real Valladolid, Jose Bordalas’ men came crashing back down to earth last weekend. Falling to a routine 2-0 loss at the hands of defending champions and local rivals Real Madrid, the Blues have continued to show a string of issues this season. Although some around the capital might have opened up the new campaign with their sights set on mounting a genuine top-half charge, the former Valencia boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their first 15 La Liga appearances. Heading into November’s fortnight interval with a 1-0 defeat at home against Girona, Monday’s hosts find just their goal difference keeping them outside the drop zone.

Getafe Team News

Yet to make a single appearance since the start of October, Getafe are once again without former Real Madrid marksman Borja Mayoral. However, after serving a one-match suspension against Los Blancos last weekend, Turkish youngster Bertug Yildirim on Monday night.

Likewise, veteran defender Djene will make a full La Liga return after serving his own respective one-game ban. Although Madrid loanee Alvaro Rodriguez might have notched just a single goal since arriving on a season-long loan deal, the 20-year-old will lead Getafe’s charge.

Espanyol

As for the visitors, while Espanyol might have made their La Liga return this season, the Parakeets have a real battle on their hands this time around. Suffering a major Copa del Rey upset earlier in the week as they fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Barbastro, Manolo Gonzalez’s men have had to deal with a major backlash. Currently battling it out in the relegation zone and pencilled in as a leading bottom-three contender this year, the Catalonia-based outfit have lost four of their previous five La Liga appearances. Marking their return from November’s international break with a routine 4-1 drumming against Girona, Monday’s guests face what appears to be a season-defining showdown here. It should also be noted, Espanyol have lost each of their last five straight showdowns outside of Catalonia by an aggregate score of 16-4.

Espanyol Team News

Still dealing with an Achilles tendon injury and not making a single appearance since the start of October. Spanish defender Fernando Calero remains on the sidelines. However, returning from knock earlier in the week, veteran goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco will return to Espanyol’s squad here.

Finding the net against Celta Vigo last weekend and recording a maiden La Liga strike, Augsburg loanee Irvin Cardona should keep his spot leading the line. One-time West Ham midfielder Alex Kral will partner former Girona youngster Pol Lozano in the middle of the park.

Getafe vs Espanyol Key Factors to Consider

• When Getafe and Espanyol last met back in January for a Copa del Rey showdown, the Blues collected a 1-0 win in Catalonia.
• Getafe have won just a pair of their first 15 La Liga appearances so far this season.
• However, Monday’s hosts have lost just one of their first eight La Liga appearances on home soil.
• Espanyol have lost four of their previous five La Liga appearances.
• Likewise, Monday’s guests have lost their last five La Liga showdowns outside of Catalonia by an aggregate score of 16-4.

Conclusion

In what looks set to be a real relegation six-pointer on Monday night, both camps will have a tremendous amount of pressure on their shoulders. Marking their return from November’s international break with a 2-0 victory against Real Valladolid, Getafe will take plenty of solace from their continued success on home soil. In fact, the Blues have suffered just a single defeat from any of their first eight La Liga battles at the Estadio Coliseum. With Espanyol losing all of their last five top-flight away fixtures by an aggregate score of 16-4, we are backing a home win here.

Verdict: Getafe win

Best Odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: Luckster