Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Getafe and Barcelona from the Spanish capital. The Spanish champions are currently two points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the top of the table and have won 11 of their 17 league matches this season. Barcelona are the favourites tonight, but Getafe have only lost four top-flight games this term, with a total of 25 points leaving them in an impressive seventh spot in the table. Stay tuned for live coverage of the action!

Getafe held Barcelona to a goalless draw when the two teams met at Camp Nou in February 2018. Barcelona did record a 2-1 win when they last travelled to Getafe in the league, however, and El Geta have not overcome the Catalan giants in a La Liga contest since a 1-0 home success in November 2011. That said, three of their last seven league meetings have finished level.

Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from the Spanish capital. Both managers had some injury concerns ahead of the match...

TEAMS!

GETAFE: Soria; Damian, Djene, Cabrera, Antunes; Foulquier, Arambarri, Maksimovic, Mata, Portillo; Angel

BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Lenglet, Alba; Arthur, Rakitic, Vidal; Messi, L Suarez, Dembele

Getafe's team shows just the one change from the XI that started the 1-1 draw with Girona before the international break. The alteration comes in the final third as Jorge Molina drops out for Portillo, meaning that Angel is the lone striker for the hosts tonight. Getafe will once again be without the services of Amath Ndiaye due to a knee problem, while Markel Bergara remains on the sidelines with a fractured arm. Mathieu Flamini will start on the bench once again, but there is a position in the XI for centre-back Djene Dakonam, who has once again impressed with a string of strong performances this season.

📍 Ready to go at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez
⚽ #GetafeBarça pic.twitter.com/ANO65pxogW — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 6, 2019

As for Barcelona, Sergio Busquets is left on the bench as Arthur joins Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic in the middle of the park. Philippe Coutinho is also on the bench once again, meanwhile, with Ousmane Dembele keeping his spot in the final third alongside Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi. Sergi Roberto is back from a hamstring problem to feature at right-back, but Clement Lenglet continues alongside Gerard Pique at centre-back as Samuel Umtiti is still out with a knee problem.

UPDATE! Real Madrid are currently losing 1-0 at home to Real Sociedad and are down to 10 men having seen Lucas Vazquez sent off just past the hour. Los Blancos have around 15 minutes to snatch something late on or it will be another very, very disappointing result.

Elsewhere, Sevilla and Atletico Madrid played out a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Ramon this afternoon. That was a terrific result for Barcelona, who have a two-point lead over second-placed Atletico and four-point lead over third-placed Sevilla with tonight's match in hand.

⚽ #GetafeBarça
Top 5⃣ goals
🤔 Which is the best? pic.twitter.com/y2iumgHGcG — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 6, 2019

Barcelona will be looking for their fifth straight La Liga win tonight. Indeed, since the draw at Atletico on November 24, the Catalan side have beaten Villarreal, Espanyol, Levante and Celta Vigo. Ernesto Valverde's side have scored 13 times across those four matches and conceded zero.

Barcelona were not perfect in the first half of the 2018-19 campaign, but they are through in both the Champions League and Copa del Rey, while the destination of the La Liga title is in their hands ahead of a busy few weeks. A win here and they go five points clear at the summit.

Barcelona did not really need to break a sweat in La Liga last term. Indeed, the Catalan giants lost just one of their 38 matches, winning 28 times, to storm to the title. They are facing more of a challenge this term, but have the likes of Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in fine form.

UPDATE! Real Madrid have conceded a second at home to Sociedad! Ruben Pardo adds to Willian Jose's early penalty and Sociedad are minutes away from a huge win at the Bernabeu. I suspect that there will be a few whistles when the full-time whistle is blown in that one.

🧺 Four straight clean sheets in LaLiga — will @mterstegen1 pull another one out of the washer on Sunday? #BarçaGetafe pic.twitter.com/tlRdI0LblE

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 6, 2019

Messi leads the scoring charts in La Liga this season with 15, while Luis Suarez has 11 league strikes to his name. Ousmane Dembele has also contributed seven goals, with the Frenchman, who has had his off-the-field issues, currently keeping Philippe Coutinho out of the side.

FULL-TIME RESULT! Real Madrid have lost 2-0 at home to Sociedad. As a result, Los Blancos stay down in fourth and remain seven points behind Barcelona ahead of kickoff in this match. As expected, the Bernabeu made their feelings known at the full-time whistle.

Valverde led Barcelona to a La Liga and Copa del Rey double in his first season at the club, but his long-term future is very much undecided. Indeed, the 54-year-old will be out of contract at the end of this season and neither he nor the club has made a move to activate an extension.

What are you hoping for in 2⃣0⃣1⃣9⃣. ?
And who will score our first goal of the year?
We put those questions to our fans in Madrid.#ForçaBarça 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/hQzUL5e4RG

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 6, 2019

Getafe will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run of form in La Liga to six matches tonight. Jose Bordalas's side have won six, drawn seven and lost just four of their 17 league games this season to sit in seventh position. Only Barcelona, Atletico and Sevilla have lost fewer La Liga clashes this term, and Getafe will certainly fancy their chances of causing the Catalan giants problems.

Getafe have only scored 18 La Liga goals this season, but have conceded just 13, which is actually the joint-best defensive record in the division at this stage alongside Atletico.

The capital outfit have only lost one of their last seven in the league, meanwhile, and will bring a five-match unbeaten run into this contest. Their last home league fixture brought a 1-0 win over Sociedad on December 15, while they entered the winter break off the back of a 1-1 draw at Girona.

¡Así ha sido la llegada al Coliseum del equipo en la tarde de hoy! 💪#VamosGeta #GetafeBarcelona pic.twitter.com/SxrlET7rnr

— Getafe C.F. (@GetafeCF) January 6, 2019

El Geta only returned to La Liga last season following one year in the Segunda, but they managed an eighth-place finish. They have not finished higher than that since posting sixth at the end of the 2009-10 campaign, although this team looks capable of challenging for a European position this term. Kickoff inside this brilliant stadium is now only 10 minutes away!

Getafe have been impressive this season, but three of their four league defeats have arrived on home soil, while they have not beaten Barcelona in a La Liga affair since November 2011.

Barcelona recorded a 2-1 win when they last travelled to Getafe in the league and El Geta have not overcome the Catalan giants in a La Liga contest since a 1-0 home success in November 2011. Can the hosts triumph tonight? Be sure to stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates!

¡Con este once saltaremos al césped del Coliseum para enfrentarnos al @FCBarcelona_es en poco más de una hora! 🎉#VamosGeta #GetafeBarcelona pic.twitter.com/15SMdnHytO — Getafe C.F. (@GetafeCF) January 6, 2019

Here we go then; both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff in the Spanish capital. Results have been kind to Barcelona today and the champions will be desperate to take advance of the rest of the top four dropping points. Kickoff is now just minutes away here.

KICKOFF:  Barcelona kick things off in the capital...

... Djene, who is outstanding, has just won the first battle with Luis Suarez. The Getafe centre-back is wanted by a number of Europe's top clubs and will surely move on at some point.

As expected, Barcelona have been in control of the possession in the first few minutes as they look to get into their passing rhythm. Getafe will have no problems sitting in and defending here.

Djene continues to clear the danger for Getafe as Barcelona dominate the ball. Nothing to report in terms of a serious chance, but the champions are in control of the possession.

Dembele races clear of the Getafe defence before looking to cut inside, but Djene just about does enough to make contact with the Frenchman. Wonderful skill from Dembele there.

SHOT!  Angel misses the Barcelona crossbar with an inventive volley!

The pace has just started to lift here as Getafe show their threat on the break. Barcelona are now starting to move the ball with pace and purpose, meanwhile, as the half develops.

DISALLOWED GOAL!  Getafe have the ball in the back of the net as Mata fires home, but it seems that the referee has blown for a foul with Angel seemingly pushing Pique moments before the ball went in... having seen the replay, the decision is very tough on Getafe!

YELLOW CARD!  Arthur (Barcelona) is booked for a poor tackle on Angel.

Arthur is actually a touch fortunate to still be on the pitch after throwing his elbow into the face of Angel, who takes his time before getting up. Another bad call!

YELLOW CARD!  Alba (Barcelona) is now booked for a poor challenge on Foulquier.

YELLOW CARD!  Foulquier (Getafe) is also booked for an arm on Alba.

Well, very interesting few minutes here. Three quick-fire yellow cards, with two coming in the same incident. The free kick actually goes to Getafe, but Barcelona clear their lines.

We have not seen too much from Messi in the first 18 minutes of this match, nor Luis Suarez. Dembele has been Barcelona's brightest attacker, but Getafe are on top at the moment.

Ter Stegen has just taken a bad challenge from Angel after being forced to deal with a high back-pass. Crazy few minutes here - everyone is all over the place at the moment.

I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the yellow cards in this match as challenges continue to arrive. Getafe are flying into every tackle at the moment.

GOAL!  GETAFE 0-1 BARCELONA (MESSI)

And just like that, Barcelona are ahead. The goal comes from absolutely nothing. Messi is simply the first to react to a high ball inside the Getafe box and he manages to poke the ball into a shooting position before converting into an empty net. Breakthrough!

SAVE!  Super save from Soria to keep out a close-range effort from Luis Suarez.

Getafe do not concede many, but they also do not score many and a second for Barcelona would make it very difficult for the home side to pick up a positive result from this match.

The first 27 minutes of this match have absolutely flown past. Nothing much from Getafe going forward at the moment as Barcelona continue to move the ball with pace and purpose.

SAVE!  Wonderful save from Soria to keep out a close-range Pique strike!

Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Messi has just taken a boot to the head from Portillo. No more yellow cards since those three in quick succession though.

Messi was quiet in the first 15 minutes here, but it now absolutely running the match. Getafe just cannot live with the Argentine when he picks up the ball in time and space here.

CLOSE!  Luis Suarez just misses the post with a curling effort!

Getafe attempt to break clear through Portillo, but the attacker cannot find a pass into Angel and Barcelona clear their lines once again. Messi's goal remains the difference here.

Mata drives a dangerous cross into the Barcelona box, but Ter Stegen is on hand to claim and the German goalkeeper gets his team going down the right with fit-again Roberto.

Just a reminder that a win for Barcelona here would see them move five points clear of second-placed Atletico at the top of the table and 10 points clear of fourth-placed Real Madrid.

GOAL!  GETAFE 0-2 BARCELONA (L SUAREZ)

Barcelona double their lead in the 39th minute as Luis Suarez finds the back of the net with a wonderful volley. Getafe could only half-clear a free kick and the forward fired past Soria!

OFF THE POST!  Very nearly an own goal from Alba, but the ball hits the bottom of the post! Getafe then come close moments later as Angel fires a powerful drive over the crossbar.

GOAL!  GETAFE 1-2 BARCELONA (MATA)

Getafe are right back in this football match as Mata turns home from close range! Angel does really well to turn into the path of Mata and the forward just cannot miss.

What a terrific first half of action this has been. I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals as both defences are leaving gaps for the two attacks here.

HALF TIME:  GETAFE 1-2 BARCELONA

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading Getafe 2-1. Messi and Luis Suarez netted to send Barcelona two goals ahead, but Mata struck late in the first period to leave this one very delicately poised ahead of the second period.

STATISTICS! Barcelona had 80% of the ball in the first period, while they managed six attempts, five of which were on target. Getafe, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their six attempts and that was their goal. Three yellows to report here - Arthur, Alba and Foulquier.

BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have the likes of Alena, Busquets, Coutinho and Malcom on a very strong bench tonight. Meanwhile, Getafe have options in the shape of Flamini, Molina and Saiz. It will be very, very interesting to see how both managers use their benches tonight.

KICKOFF:  Getafe resume the action here...

... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as play develops in the capital.

You do get the feeling that Getafe cannot afford to concede a third if they are to stand a chance of picking up a positive result in this match. Barcelona currently have the ball.

OFF THE POST!  Huge chance for Getafe as a poor clearance from Ter Stegen leads to Angel breaking into the Barcelona box, but the striker's effort just clips the outside of the post!

Pique does well to clear a deep free kick into the Barcelona box as Getafe put the pressure on the away side with a series of crosses. We have a real football match on our hands here.

We have not seen an awful lot from Dembele tonight and Coutinho could well replace the Frenchman during the second period. Coutinho cannot get in the XI at the moment.

SAVE!  Big save from Soria to keep out a strike from Messi! Dembele had delivered a dangerous cross into the Getafe box and it fell for Messi, who fired towards goal.

Barcelona have quickened the pace in the last few minutes as they look to score a third, which would probably put the game to bed. Getafe are struggling to hold on at the moment.

Mata can break clear down the right for the home side, but the Spaniard cannot find Angel with a cross as Pique makes first contact. Little over 30 minutes remaining in the capital.

GETAFE SUB! Molina replaces Foulquier for the home side.

CLOSE!  Mata just cannot grow enough to meet a high ball inside the Barcelona box as Getafe threaten from another high ball. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals.

SAVE!  Stunning save from Ter Stegen to keep out a header from Cabrera!

YELLOW CARD!  D Suarez (Getafe) is booked for fouling Messi outside the Getafe box.

Barcelona have a free kick just outside the Getafe box here...

SHOT!  ... Messi's free kick is too high.

Dembele has shown his staggering pace on a couple of occasions in the last few minutes. It really is some sight when the Frenchman turns on the speed and glides clear.

YELLOW CARD!  Vidal (Barcelona) is booked for a late tackle on Arambarri.

No movement on the Barcelona bench at the moment, but it would not be a surprise to see Busquets introduced to just settle things down, especially as Vidal has now been booked.

CHANCE!  Staggering chance for Mata as the attacker dances into a shooting position before having the chance to fire into an open goal, but he fires over the crossbar!

YELLOW CARD!  Cabrera (Getafe) is booked for a foul on Luis Suarez.

BARCELONA SUB! Busquets replaces Vidal for the away side.

Little under 20 minutes of football remaining and Barcelona still lead 2-1 in the capital.

GETAFE SUB! Saiz is on for his Getafe debut; he replaces Angel.

You just get the feeling that there is going to be a late sting in the tail here. Getafe have only lost four times in La Liga this season and are really going for it late on against Barcelona.

CHANCE!  Huge chance for Messi as the Argentine is sent through by Dembele, but Soria is on hand to make an excellent save. Not like Messi to miss those opportunities!

YELLOW CARD!  Maksimovic (Getafe) is booked for a foul on Luis Suarez.

Little over 10 minutes of the second period remaining and Barcelona's 2-1 lead still stands. The away side are finding space on the counter with Dembele's pace key at the moment.

Molina works a shooting position inside the Barcelona box, but the striker's effort is blocked and Barcelona can break once again through Messi who slides a pass into Luis Suarez.

SAVE!  Super save from Soria to keep out a strike from Messi!

BARCELONA SUB! Coutinho replaces Dembele.

GETAFE SUB! Ibanez replaces Portillo for the home side.

CLOSE!  Lenglet heads a Coutinho corner just wide of the post.

CLOSE!  Messi misses the target with a free kick from outside the box.

Possession football from Barcelona as the clock ticks on here.

BARCELONA SUB! Alena replaces Arthur for the away side.

We are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.

Time is running out for Getafe if they are to get something out of this match. Barcelona continue to clear everything that comes into their own box and Getafe are almost out of time.

FULL TIME:  GETAFE 1-2 BARCELONA

So there we have it. Barcelona open up a five-point lead at the top of La Liga courtesy of a 2-1 win over Getafe at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday night. Goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez ultimately proved enough for the Spanish champions to overcome a Getafe side who halved the deficit late in the first period through Jaime Mata. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again!