Getafe finished 2010 in fine style, picking up four successive Primera Division victories, but January is not proving to be a hospitable month for los Azulones, who have suffered three setbacks already since the turn of the year. High-flying Espanyol will not necessarily be welcome visitors to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez.
After losing narrowly to Real Madrid and then being held to a scoreless draw by Osasuna, the odds were in el Geta’s favour to record their first win of the year last weekend against Real Sociedad. The Basques, however, proved to be rather more obstinate opposition than previously considered, racing to a 4-0 victory, which represents Getafe’s biggest reverse of the campaign.
“The team has given a lot of sweat but were very nervous and have not found the formula,” coach Michel lamented after the match. “The defeat is just, but excessive. I don’t think that our rivals should have won by the difference that was on the scoreboard.”
Not a great deal was expected of los Azulones this season, but they’ve lifted themselves into a position from which challenging for Europe could be considered a realistic goal. Results like last weekend’s will seriously undermine any continental hopes they still possess, so the team must be rallied to quickly bounce back.
Still Charging Up The Table
If Espanyol’s away form replicated that of their home performances, los Periquitos would be onto a winner. At the Cornella-Et Prat, the Barcelona club have picked up 24 points from 27 – slipping up only against Barcelona. Away from home, it’s been a different story, with only three wins and a draw gleamed from 10 trips.
Last weekend’s fine victory in Sevilla will have helped increase confidence in los Periquitos’ camp ahead of an equally testing trip to the southern suburbs of Madrid. A second half double from Jose Callejon was sufficient for the Catalans to fend off their Andalucian hosts, keeping them in stride with Valencia, who are only three points better off in the race for fourth spot.
“We won’t change our philosophy of going step by step, from game to game,” coach Mauricio Pochettino explained. “The next match will be the most important.”
Few critics would have tipped los Periquitos to be going so healthily in the league at this stage of the campaign, though it was recognised that they did have the potential to break out of their run of mid-table finishes. Espanyol are presently a side flourishing, and even if they are not consistent away from home, they have shown that they have the potential to make things click on the day.
TEAM NEWS
Getafe
A training ground collision between Miguel Torres and Miku has given Michel something of a scare, but both men should be fit to start on Sunday. Dani Parejo, Derek Boateng and Ibrahim Kas have all been restricted to training alone, while a muscular problem means that Manu del Moral is a real doubt.
Pedro Rios is back at peak fitness, but Mario remains a long-term casualty.
Espanyol
Pablo Osvaldo has undergone his operation and is expected to be sidelined for a couple of months. Baena will need 10 days off to recover from a muscle issue, but Jesus Datolo and Ivan Alonso have both overcome tonsillitis and are expected to be named in the squad.
Ivan de la Pena, Ernesto Galan and Felipe Mattioni continue to miss out, but David Garcia, Javi Lopez and David Lopez are all nearing action.
Prediction
Although Espanyol’s away record isn’t particularly good, they will have taken a lot of confidence from last weekend’s performance and will be hopeful of repeating the feat in Madrid. Getafe, however, will be desperate to show they are better than last week’s mauling and should be favoured to bounce back in front of their home fans.
Getafe 2-1 Espanyol 
