Match preview

Getafe will bring a three-game winning run into this match, beating Granada and Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey either side of a 2-1 victory over Las Palmas in the league last weekend.

Jose Bordalas's side sit 15th in the La Liga table, boasting a record of four wins, seven draws and eight defeats from their 19 matches, with 19 points leaving them three points outside of the relegation zone.

Getafe actually have the third-best defensive record in La Liga this season, conceding just 16 times, with Real Sociedad (13) and Atletico Madrid (12) the only two teams to perform better defensively this term.

However, finding the back of the net has been a real issue, only managing 13 goals in their 19 matches, which is the joint-worst attacking record alongside Real Valladolid.

Getafe have only played one season outside of Spain's top flight since 2004, so it would be a surprise to see them relegated this term, but there is no question that they are involved in a relegation battle.

The Deep Blue Ones lost 1-0 to Barcelona in the reverse match earlier this season, but they have not actually been beaten by the Catalan outfit in front of their own supporters since September 2019.

Indeed, Barcelona have failed to win on their last three visits to Getafe in Spain's top flight, with each of those contests finishing 0-0, and their recent league form has left a lot to be desired.

Hansi Flick's side have only managed to win one of their last seven matches in Spain's top flight, which was a 5-1 success over Mallorca on December 3; since then, they have drawn with Real Betis and lost to both Leganes and Atletico Madrid.

Just one point from their last three league matches has seen them drop into third spot in the table, five points behind second-placed Real Madrid and six from leaders Atletico Madrid, so there is work for them to do.

Barcelona have played four times this year, twice in the Copa del Rey and twice in the Spanish Super Cup, beating Barbastro and Real Betis in the Spanish Cup to advance to the quarter-finals, while they overcame Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia to win the Spanish Super Cup, so a four-game winning run will be brought into this game.

Flick's team thumped Real Betis 5-1 in the last-16 stage of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night, and their attention after this game will switch back to the Champions League, preparing to head to Portugal to take on Benfica.

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Dakonam, Duarte, Alderete, Iglesias; Alena, Milla, Arambarri, Coba; Uche, Mayoral

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski