Two of the Primera Division’s most out-of-form sides clash at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday evening. Between them, Getafe and Deportivo La Coruna have earned only a couple of points this year, conceding goals freely and rarely threatening to score. With relegation jitters starting to seep in, this is a clash of vital importance.
There can be little doubt that los Azulones are much the better positioned of the sides, having started the season in a broadly positive manner. Indeed, until the turn of the year, the Madrid club could quite justifiably consider a push for a European berth, but three defeats and a draw have since forced fans to reconsider their prospects.
Coach Michel remains relatively upbeat, despite the recent slump, which continued with a loss against struggling Levante last weekend. “I look up the classification, which is where we are,” he told Marca. “I have no reason to look down. We're closer to our goal than we are to problems.
“I am calm and confident with my players. We have a close relationship and I know they are going to get us away from that last bad month.”
February certainly looks a far less intimidating month for the capital side, and a win over Depor would allow Getafe to attack fixtures against Malaga, Racing Santander and Levante with genuine optimism.
Sevilla Slip
Deportivo La Coruna have not managed to charge away from the relegation zone in the type of manner that might have been expected of them. Presently they remain only three points clear of 18th placed Levante, and the form of the Galicians does not inspire thoughts that they will move clear of the bottom positions in the near future.
One win in seven is not a particularly good record, especially as they have lost three of their last four. Indeed, it took a late strike from Laure last weekend against 10-man Sevilla to secure a 3-3 draw in a remarkable game at the Riazor. Two goals up against depleted opponents, el Geta should have closed the game out but instead capitulated and were lucky in the end to get a draw.
“We had the game won,” coach Miguel Angel Lotina stated after the game. “We allowed them to rebound and we got nervous before we finally got the draw.”
Give Depor’s recent form, it should come as little surprise that they struggled to close the game out, simply because it’s a position they’ve become unaccustomed to. Barcelona, Valencia and Zaragoza all recorded wins over the north westerners without so much as the concession of a goal, and should they continue along that track, the closing weeks of the campaign will prove to be very nervy indeed.
TEAM NEWS
Getafe
Pedro Rios and Adrian Colunga will both be fit for the weekend’s encounter at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. Getafe could also welcome back Rafa but Mario is still out.
Manu del Moral and Dani Pareja are both suspended.
Deportivo
Laure is expected to be available for this encounter, but on the other hand Antonio Tomas and Alberto Lopo are both racing to be available. Andres Guardado and Saul are both sidelined.
Prediction
Given the poor performances of both sides in recent times, this is a tough game to call. Getafe are on a particularly poor run and are clearly capable of much better, but a draw is perhaps the likeliest outcome.
Getafe 1-1 Deportivo 
