Getafe welcome already-relegated Elche to Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Saturday, with the hosts aiming to avoid the same fate as their visitors.
The Azulones will begin the weekend in the bottom three after enduring a run of damaging results, although they remain within touching distance of safety with four matches left to play.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Elche, whose relegation was confirmed a fortnight ago. Sitting 12 points adrift at the foot of the table, Los Franjiverdes have already started planning for life in the second tier.
Although Elche have won two of their last three games – thrashing Rayo Vallecano 4-0 before notching a shock 1-0 victory over Champions League-bound Atletico Madrid last time out – Sebastian Beccacece’s men have left it far too late to save their campaign.
Indeed, the basement dwellers have managed to win just four of their 34 league encounters this season, recording seven wins and 23 losses along the way, so they can have no complaints about their current predicament.
Los Franjiverdes also have the worst defensive record in the division, while no team has scored fewer La Liga goals this term. As a result, Beccacece’s side head into Saturday’s clash with a sorry goal difference of -38.
Still, having dispatched Atletico last weekend, Elche will fancy their chances of frustrating Getafe, who have lost four of their previous five matches to remain in the relegation dogfight.
It is also worth pointing out that Jose Bordalas’ men have won just one of their last eight games, taking five points from a possible 24, although they did manage to give Real Madrid a run for their money last weekend before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Bernabeu.
Despite their recent sticky spell, the Azulones have remained strong on home soil, losing only one of their previous eight matches at Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez, with four wins and a spirited draw with newly-crowned champions Barcelona coming in that time.
Getafe also claimed a 1-0 victory over Elche back in October, meaning the Azulones have suffered just two defeats in their past nine meetings with Los Franjiverdes.
When you look at the bigger picture, Elche have only managed to win three of their previous 17 matches against Getafe across all competitions, although two of those victories came last season.
Getafe look set to be without top scorer Enes Unal on Saturday after the Turkish striker missed last weekend’s defeat at Real Madrid due to injury. On top of that, there are question marks over the fitness of Juanmi Latasa and Mauro Arambarri.
As for Elche, former Real Madrid midfielder Omar Mascarell is sidelined due to a muscle injury, while Sevilla loanee Jose Angel Carmona is struggling with a hamstring problem.
La Liga fans in the UK can watch Saturday’s showdown through Viaplay Sports Online.
Expert Insight: With their fate already sealed, Elche have been playing with a sense of freedom in recent weeks. Getafe need the points to steer clear of relegation trouble, but the hosts could struggle to get the better of Los Franjiverdes, who claimed a memorable victory over Atletico Madrid last time out.
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