One of the most intriguing fixtures in the latest round of La Liga action will take place in the Spanish capital on Sunday evening with Getafe welcoming Granada to Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
Getafe are currently fourth in the table with 10 points to show from their five matches, while Granada have an identical record in sixth, and both sides are in with a chance of topping the table this weekend.
Match preview
Getafe made a very positive start to the 2020-21 campaign, picking up seven points from their first three matches against Osasuna, Alaves and Real Betis, but they entered the October international break off the back of a disappointing 3-0 loss at Real Sociedad.
Jose Bordalas's side returned to winning ways in very impressive fashion last weekend, though, recording a 1-0 victory over Barcelona courtesy of a second-half penalty from Jaime Mata.
Getafe will be looking to make it back-to-back wins this weekend, and it is a very interesting period of the season for the club considering that their next two after this one are against Valencia and Villarreal.
The capital side finished eighth in La Liga last season but were fifth in 2018-19, and the supporters will be hoping that their team can push towards the Champions League positions once again.
Granada, meanwhile, finished seventh in Spain's top flight last term, which was their highest placing at this level since 1973-74, ensuring that they would be in the qualifying rounds of the Europa League.
Diego Martinez's side overcame Teuta Durres, Lokomotivi Tbilisi and Malmo to reach the group stage, which they started with a very impressive 2-1 victory away to PSV Eindhoven on Thursday night.
El Grana also beat Sevilla 1-0 in the league last weekend, which left them sixth in the table on 10 points, just one point off leaders Real Sociedad entering the next set of matches.
The matches are coming thick and fast for Granada at the moment as they are back in Europa League action at home to PAOK next week before welcoming Levante in the league at the start of November.
It remains to be seen how Martinez balances the squad over the next few weeks, but the early indications are that Rojiblancos could be in for a very successful campaign.
Getafe La Liga form: WDWLW
Granada La Liga form: WWLDW
Granada form (all competitions): WLWDWW
Team News
Getafe's squad is in excellent shape at the moment in terms of injuries, and it would not be a surprise to see Bordalas select the same XI that started against Barca last weekend.
Mata is certain to keep his spot in the final third of the field, while Cucho Hernandez is expected to start alongside him once again despite the presence of Angel and Enes Unal.
Nemanja Maksimovic and Mauro Arambarri are the two first-choice central midfielders and will continue in the XI, while Marc Cucurella should again feature in a wide area.
As for Granada, Neyder Lozano, Quini and Roberto Soldado are all on the sidelines through injury, while Ramon Azeez, Maxime Gonalons, Victor Diaz and Domingos Duarte are doubts.
Jorge Molina and Darwin Machis were both on the scoresheet against PSV and should continue in attacking positions, while Kenedy could come into the starting side.
Luis Suarez, who arrived from Watford over the summer, is another option in the final third, although the 22-year-old is likely to be named on the bench once again.
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Suarez, Dakonam, Cabaco, Olivera; Nyom, Maksimovic, Arambarri, Cucurella; Hernandez, Mata
Granada possible starting lineup:
Silva; Foulquier, Sanchez, Vallejo, Neva; Montoro, Milla, Herrera; Machis, Molina, Kenedy
We say: Getafe 1-1 Granada
These two sides should both be pushing towards the European spots this season and this should be a very interesting contest in the Spanish capital. Getafe have had longer to prepare for the clash, but Granada are an impressive outfit, and we fancy the two teams to share the spoils this weekend.
