Match Preview

Coming fresh off an El Clasico victory and a Champions League semi-final advancement, Real Madrid look to keep the title race on in a road match against Getafe.

These two clubs last played at the beginning of February with Real Madrid taking a 2-0 victory at home.

Real currently sit in second, two points behind Atletico as the club is currently taking on Eibar. Barcelona are a point trailing Real as they do not play until next Thursday.

After finishing in the top 10 last season and the top 5 the season prior, it has been a drastic fall for Getafe this season. They currently sit in 15th and haven’t registered a win in their last five matches.

It won’t come easy for Real as they are once again dealing with several key absences piled on to an already packed injured list.

Injuries/Suspensions

Real Madrid will be without Eden Hazard, Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez and Ferland Mendy due to injury. Fede Valverde will also miss due to COVID protocols.

Getafe have their fair share of misses as they will likely be without Enes Unal, Cucho, Dario Poveda, Sofian Chakla and Erick Cabaco.

Nacho and Casemiro will both miss due to suspension.

Potential XIs

Getafe

Soria; Nyom, Djene, Timor, Olivera; Arambarri, Maksimovic; Alena, Portillo, Cucurella; Mata

Real Madrid

Courtois; Odriozola, Militao, Chust, Marcelo; Modric, Isco, Kroos; Asensio, Vinicius, Benzema

This is the weakest the Real Madrid squad has been in quite a while this season. The defensive and midfield options are spread quite thinly. So much so that Zidane has called up four Castilla players for this match.

Given the lack of options we will likely see Victor Chust start alongside Eder Militao in the backline.

Modric and/or Kroos could use a rest so they may not start. This is where someone like Sergio Arribas could start or sub on at some point to give the midfield veterans some rest after a stretch of tough games.

Prediction

Getafe—Real Madrid 1-2

This is the opponent Real Madrid is fortunate to play against given these circumstances. Getafe have not played well at all this season and is in current bad form. Still, it wouldn’t be shocking if Real struggles to get a victory out of this weekend given the misses and the inexperience of some of the Castilla players who will likely feature.

Los Blancos will have to dig down deep if they want the three points on the road and continue their challenge on Atletico’s and Barcelona’s title chances. After three straight important matches, it feels like another uphill battle given the injury and suspension situation.