Atletico Madrid will be bidding to return to winning ways when they head to Getafe on Sunday afternoon, with Diego Simeone's side firmly involved in the La Liga title race entering the latter stages of the campaign.
The Red and Whites are currently second in the La Liga table, one point behind the leaders Barcelona, while Getafe sit in 14th position, six points above the relegation zone.
Match preview
Getafe boast a record of seven wins, nine draws and 10 defeats from their 26 league matches this season, with a total of 30 points leaving them in 14th position, six points outside of the relegation zone.
The Deep Blue Ones went six games unbeaten in La Liga, recording four wins in the process, between January 12 and February 14, which moved them clear of the drop zone, but they have now lost their last two against Real Betis and Leganes.
Goals have been a real issue for Jose Bordalas's side this term, only finding the back of the net on 21 occasions in their 26 matches, but they have the second-best defensive record behind Atletico, conceding just 21 times.
This weekend's clash will therefore be a meeting between the best two defensive sides in the division, but Atletico scored three times in the corresponding game between the two sides last season, recording a 3-0 victory.
Getafe also conceded five against Atletico in the Copa del Rey at the start of February, while they have not managed to overcome the Red and Whites in the top flight of Spanish football since November 2011.
Atletico were in Champions League action on Tuesday night, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the first leg of their last-16 clash, and it is all to play for in the second leg at Wanda Metropolitano next week.
Simeone's side cannot afford to take their eye off the ball in La Liga, though, with the team currently second in the table, one point behind the leaders Barcelona and two ahead of the reigning champions Real Madrid in third.
Atletico were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Celta Vigo on February 15, but they have won their last two in Spain's top flight, beating Valencia 3-0 before recording a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao last weekend.
The Red and Whites have the best home record in La Liga this season, but they have dropped points in six of their 12 league games on their travels, and this could be a tricky assignment for the title hopefuls.
Atletico are bidding to win their 12th La Liga title this season, and it would be one of the club's best-ever achievements if they could finish above both Barcelona and Real Madrid at the top of the division this term.
Team News
Getafe are again likely to be without the services of Omar Alderete through injury, but Domingos Duarte will return, with the defender serving his suspension in the defeat to Leganes last time out.
Head coach Bordalas could make a couple of changes to the team that started the last match, with Duarte in line to return at the back, while Luis Milla could be introduced into the middle of midfield.
Borja Mayoral has had a tough season due to fitness issues, but the ex-Real Madrid striker does have four La Liga goals to his name in 2024-25, and he is set to continue in the final third of the field.
As for Atletico, Cesar Azpilicueta and Koke remain doubts, but the Red and Whites did not pick up any fresh issues during their narrow defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League last time out.
Head coach Simeone may make just the one change to the side that started against Real Madrid, with Nahuel Molina potentially coming in for Marcos Llorente on the right side of the back four.
Alexander Sorloth continues to struggle for starts due to the form of Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, and the striker, who has nine league goals to his name this term, is again expected to be on the bench on Saturday.
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Iglesias, Dakonam, Duarte, Rico; Nyom, Milla, Arambarri, Bernat; Uche, Mayoral
Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Molina, Gimenez, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann
We say: Getafe 0-1 Atletico Madrid
It was 1-0 to Atletico when the two sides locked horns for the reverse match earlier this season, and we are expecting the same scoreline here; Getafe do not concede many, but they struggle to score, and we fancy a narrow Atletico success here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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