Real Madrid will be aiming to recover from a disappointing result in the Champions League when they continue their La Liga campaign with a clash against Getafe at Bernabeu on Sunday afternoon.
Los Blancos were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the European Cup on Wednesday night, while Getafe will enter the contest off the back of a 3-0 victory over Manises in the Copa del Rey on Tuesday evening.
Match preview
© Imago
Real Madrid have been beaten in three of their last five matches in all competitions, suffering damaging home defeats to Barcelona and AC Milan at the end of October and start of November, before going down 2-0 to Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday night, and it was a deserved loss for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty at Anfield, but Mohamed Salah was also unsuccessful from the spot, and goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo secured a two-goal victory for Liverpool, with the result leaving Real Madrid down in 24th spot in the Champions League table, only just clinging onto a playoff spot.
In the league, though, Los Blancos have won their last two against Osasuna and Leganes, scoring seven times and conceding zero in the process, and that form, coupled with a little wobble for Barcelona, has pulled the reigning champions back into contention at the top of the division.
As it stands, Ancelotti's side are second in the La Liga table, four points behind Barcelona with a game in hand, and they will now be looking to post three more league victories against Getafe, Athletic Bilbao and Girona before a huge Champions League fixture away to Atalanta BC on December 10.
Real Madrid have the best home record in La Liga this season, picking up 18 points from their opening seven matches, while Getafe have struggled on their travels, claiming just two points from six matches away from their own stadium.
© Imago
Getafe have only won six of their previous 38 matches with Real Madrid in La Liga, while they have not beaten Los Blancos at Bernabeu since February 2008, which is an indication of the size in this weekend's contest.
The Deep Blue Ones have beaten Real Madrid just once since August 2012, but their recent meetings have been close, with Los Blancos only winning 2-1 in the corresponding game at Bernabeu last term, and Getafe will be slightly the fresher of the two teams, having been in action on Tuesday night while their opponents played on Wednesday.
Jose Bordalas' side secured their spot in the second round of the Copa del Rey courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Manises earlier this week, while they beat Real Valladolid 2-0 in their last league match on November 22.
A record of two wins, seven draws and five defeats from 14 matches this season has seen Getafe collect 13 points, which has left them in 15th spot in the table, three points above the relegation zone.
Goals have been a problem this season, only managing 10 in their 14 league games, which is the joint-worst record in the division, but they have only conceded 11, which is the joint-second best defensive record.
Team News
© Imago
Real Madrid will definitely be without the services of Vinicius Junior, Eduardo Camavinga, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal and David Alaba for this weekend's contest in the Spanish capital.
However, Aurelien Tchouameni and Rodrygo could be back in the squad after recent issues, while Jude Bellingham, Brahim Diaz and Mbappe are all fit despite concerns over their fitness after the Liverpool clash.
Lucas Vazquez is expected to return to the side at right-back, which would see Federico Valverde move back into midfield, while Dani Ceballos could be introduced in the middle, with Luka Modric likely to drop to the bench.
Ancelotti may also make a change at left-back, with Fran Garcia potentially replacing Ferland Mendy.
As for Getafe, Carles Alena is out with a muscular problem, while Borja Mayoral is only likely to be fit enough for the bench, with the ex-Real Madrid forward currently struggling with a muscular issue of his own.
The visitors will also be missing two important players through suspension on Sunday, with Bertug Yildirim and Djene Dakonam picking up milestone yellow cards in the league game with Real Valladolid last weekend.
Alvaro Rodriguez is on loan at Getafe from Real Madrid, but the 20-year-old is eligible to feature this weekend, and the attacker is expected to lead the line, fresh from scoring his first goal for the Deep Blue Ones against Real Valladolid.
Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Vazquez, Rudiger, Asencio, F Garcia; Ceballos, Valverde, Bellingham; Guler, Mbappe, Diaz
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Iglesias, Duarte, Alderete, Rico; Milla, Arambarri; Nyom, Uche, Perez; Rodriguez
We say: Real Madrid 2-1 Getafe
Real Madrid will once again be missing a number of important players this weekend, and they will be coming up against a Getafe side that are very strong defensively. It is difficult to ignore Real Madrid's dominance in this fixture, though, and we are expecting Los Blancos to edge a close match on Sunday to put a huge three points on the board.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
