Valencia will be aiming to move off the bottom of the La Liga table when they head to the Spanish capital on Sunday afternoon to tackle fellow strugglers Getafe.
Los Che will enter the contest off the back of a 3-2 home defeat to Las Palmas, which has left them rock bottom of the division, while Getafe sit 16th, three points above their opponents this weekend.
Match preview
© Imago
Getafe boast a record of one win, six draws and three defeats from their 10 La Liga matches this season, with a total of nine points leaving them in 16th position in the table.
The capital side have conceded just eight times in the league this term, with only Atletico Madrid (six) and Real Madrid (seven) boasting better defensive records, but they have had real trouble down the other end, managing just seven goals, which is the joint-second worst attacking record alongside Valencia.
Getafe have been difficult to beat in recent weeks, with their only loss in their last five matches proving to be a 1-0 reverse at Barcelona, while they have held Osasuna and Villarreal in their last two games.
A lack of victories could be costly for Jose Bordalas' side, though, with their only success of the campaign proving to be a two-goal win over Alaves at the end of September.
The Deep Blue Ones finished 12th in La Liga last season and have only played outside of Spain's top flight for one season since 2004, so it would be a surprise to see them relegated to the Segunda Division.
© Imago
Valencia's start to the campaign has been very difficult, picking up just six points from 10 matches, which has left them at the bottom of the table, dropping to 20th courtesy of their defeat to Las Palmas last time out.
Los Che took the lead against Las Palmas at Mestalla, but they then conceded three times, with Cesar Tarrega's 94th-minute effort only proving to be a consolation, and there is real pressure on head coach Ruben Baraja to deliver a result here.
Valencia are six-time Spanish champions, while they have only ever played four seasons in the Segunda Division, with their last campaign in the second tier coming in 1986-87, so it would be a huge shock to see them relegated.
There is still plenty of football to be played, and the team are only one win away from moving out of the relegation zone, but as mentioned, finding the back of the net has been a problem this season, only managing seven goals.
Valencia were 1-0 winners over Getafe when the two teams last locked horns in March, but they have not managed to beat Sunday's opponents on their travels since November 2018.
Team News
© Imago
Getafe only have one injury doubt ahead of the contest, with Borja Mayoral struggling to overcome a muscular problem, and the Spaniard is unlikely to start this weekend even if he makes the squad.
Head coach Bordalas could name the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Villarreal, with Carles Perez and Alex Sola likely to continue in the wide positions.
Christantus Uche has made a huge impression for Getafe this season after arriving over the summer, and the forward, who is currently being linked with Chelsea, is set to feature in the starting XI.
As for Valencia, Rafa Mir, Jesus Vazquez and Mouctar Diakhaby are unavailable for selection, while Pepelu is suspended due to the red card that he was handed against Las Palmas.
Head coach Baraja is expected to make changes to the side that started last time out, with Andre Almeida, Jose Gaya and Javi Guerra likely to be introduced into the XI.
Hugo Duro has only scored twice in the league this season, but the Spaniard managed 13 in La Liga during the 2024-25 campaign, and Valencia will again be looking to the 24-year-old for inspiration on Sunday.
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Iglesias, Dakonam, Alderete, Rico; Perez, Arambarri, Milla, Sola; Uche, Yildirim
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Correia, Terrega, Mosquera, Gaya; Canos, Barrenechea, Guerra, Rioja; Almeida; Duro
We say: Getafe 1-1 Valencia
There has only actually been one draw in the last seven La Liga meetings between the two teams, but we are finding it difficult to separate them this weekend. Both have struggled in the final third of the field in 2024-25, and we are expecting a low-key stalemate on Sunday afternoon.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
