Villarreal go head-to-head in weekend clash against Getafe.

2024-10-14

As Villarreal looks to bounce back from a defeat to Real Madrid, they host Getafe on Sunday in a clash at Estadio de la Cerámica, eager to rejuvenate their form and maintain their dominant record against the visitors.

Villarreal

Villarreal will return to domestic action with a home fixture against Getafe, following a 2-0 loss to Real Madrid just before the international break. That defeat ended a run of two successive wins [WLWWL] and saw the Yellow Submarine slip to 4th place, tied on 17 points with third-placed Atlético Madrid, who are only ahead due to superior goal difference.

The biggest issue for Marcelino's side has been their sloppy defense, having conceded 17 goals, which is as many as they have scored. This leaves Villarreal with the joint-second-worst defensive record in La Liga alongside Las Palmas, who are bottom of the league.

Despite their defensive challenges, the Yellow Submarine will be confident in their attacking ability to help them overcome Getafe, a side they have dominated in recent encounters. The hosts are unbeaten in their last 11 La Liga meetings [7W, 4D, 0L], the longest unbeaten run against the visitors in the top flight.

In addition, Villarreal have not lost in their last five home encounters against Getafe [4W, 1D, 0L] and have scored in 17 of their last 18 La Liga home games against the visitors. Nicolas Pépé and Álex Baena were on target for Ivory Coast and Spain, respectively, during the international break, and both players should be part of a three-man attack alongside Thierno Barry in a 4—3—3 formation.

Defender Logan Costa suffered a muscular injury while playing for Cape Verde during the international break, adding to a long list of players sidelined for Villarreal.

Getafe

Getafe kicked off the campaign with a seven-match winless streak, drawing four and losing three. However, the Azulones are now unbeaten in their last two matches, having picked up a win over Alavés before a 1-1 draw with Osasuna just before the international break.

This resurgence has helped the Madrid-based club rise to 16th place with eight points, a run they will hope to extend when they travel to face Villarreal on Sunday. However, José Bordalás' side has not won any of their last six away matches in La Liga, losing the last three in a row.

The visitors have not lost four away games in a row under the same manager since September 2021 with Míchel. In addition, the Azulones have won just one of their last 10 visits in the topflight to teams from the Valencian Community.

A 4—4—2 formation with Bertuğ Yıldırım and Christantus Uche in attack is expected against Villarreal.