Getafe will be bidding to stretch their unbeaten run of form in La Liga to six matches when they continue their campaign with a clash against Girona at Estadi Montilivi on Friday night.
The hosts, who are eighth in the La Liga table, will enter the match off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, while 14th-placed Getafe recorded a 1-0 victory over Alaves last time out.
Match preview
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Girona boast a record of nine wins, four draws and 10 defeats from their 23 league matches this season, with a total of 31 points leaving them in eighth spot in the table, four points behind sixth-placed Rayo Vallrcano.
The Catalan outfit had a historic 2023-24 campaign, finishing third in the division, but they have found it more difficult this term, with the White and Reds 17 points off third-placed Barcelona at this stage of proceedings.
A top-six finish would still represent an excellent season for Michel's side, but they have lost three of their last four in the league, including a 3-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao last time out, with the team suffering their sixth away La Liga defeat of the campaign.
Girona have won two of their last three league matches against Getafe, including a 1-0 success earlier this season.
The White and Reds were also 3-0 winners in the corresponding fixture during the 2023-24 campaign, and they are seeking a third straight home success over the Deep Blue Ones on Friday night.
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Getafe will enter this match in strong form, having won three and drawn two of their last five league games, which has allowed them to move into 14th spot in the table, currently five points outside of the relegation zone.
The capital outfit are now only four points off seventh-placed Real Sociedad, meanwhile, with a top-half finish certainly achievable if they are able to maintain their recent level of performance in the closing months of the season.
Jose Bordalas's side were 1-0 winners over Alaces last time out, with Mauro Arambarri scoring the only goal of the match from the penalty spot in the closing stages of the first period.
Getafe have been excellent defensively this season, only conceding 17 times in their 23 matches, which is the second-best record behind Atletico Madrid, who have only let in 15 goals in La Liga.
The Deep Blue Ones have struggled down the other end, netting only 18, which is the second-worst attacking record, but they have scored six times in their last three away league fixtures, which have all ended in wins against Las Palmas, Real Sociedad and Alaves.
Team News
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Girona are again expected to be without the services of Bojan Miovski and Arnaut Danjuma on Friday due to injury problems, but the home side are otherwise in good shape, with no fresh issues being reported.
There are not expected to be any major surprises on Friday night, with Abel Ruiz again set to lead the attack, while Donny van de Beek and Bryan Gil are also in line for spots in the final third of the field.
Daley Blind and Arnau Martinez are among the players pushing to be introduced into the XI, but Alejandro Frances and Juanpe are likely to retain their spots in the side against Getafe.
The visitors, meanwhile, are likely to again be without the services of Luis Milla due to a muscular issue, but the capital team have not reported any fresh concerns from their one-goal success over Alaves.
Borja Mayoral again featured off the bench last time out, with Getafe still being careful with his fitness due to recent injury problems, but the Spaniard could now come into the XI on Friday night.
There is also likely to be a change down the left, with Coba expected to replace Juan Bernat, but Ramon Terrats is likely to keep hold of his starting position on the right for the Deep Blue Ones.
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Frances, Juanpe, Krejci, Gutierrez; Herrera, Martin; Tsyhankov, Van de Beek, Gil; Ruiz
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Iglesias, Duarte, Alderete, Rico; Terrats, Dakonam, Arambarri, Coba; Mayoral, Uche
We say: Girona 1-1 Getafe
Getafe's recent away record is excellent, posting three straight wins, conceding only once, and we are therefore struggling to predict a loss for the capital side here. Girona have won six of their 11 home league fixtures this term, but we are predicting a low-scoring draw here, which both managers would likely take if that were offered ahead of kickoff.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
