Espanyol vs Getafe

Espanyol will look to secure a third consecutive La Liga victory as they host Getafe on Friday evening.

Currently 15th in the standings, the Catalan side comes into the game buoyed by a 2-0 win against Celta Vigo, while Getafe, sitting 11th, suffered a 3-1 home loss to Las Palmas in their last outing.

Espanyol have significantly reduced their relegation concerns with a strong post-March international break performance, earning seven points from their past three matches, including back-to-back victories over Rayo Vallecano and Celta Vigo.

Under Manolo Gonzalez, Espanyol drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid late last month before netting six goals without reply against Rayo and Celta. This run has lifted them six points clear of the drop zone, positioning them 15th in the table.

Just three points behind 12th-placed Osasuna, Espanyol can now aim higher in the standings. Avoiding relegation would mark a successful return to La Liga after earning promotion via the 2023-24 Segunda Division playoffs.

Historically, Espanyol have dominated Getafe, winning three of their last four league encounters, including a 1-0 victory in the corresponding fixture last season.

However, Getafe edged a 1-0 win in Madrid earlier this campaign, with Alvaro Rodriguez scoring the decisive goal in the eighth minute.

Getafe, meanwhile, are reeling from their recent 3-1 defeat to Las Palmas, their second loss in three games after also falling to Villarreal at home in late March.

With 10 wins, nine draws, and 12 losses from 31 matches, Jose Bordalas’s team has 39 points, placing them 11th, four points ahead of Espanyol.

With just 28 goals given up in 31 games this season, the Madrid squad has the third-best defensive record in the league, after Atletico Madrid (26) and Athletic Bilbao (25).

Getafe is one of the division's lowest goal scorers, although they scored four goals in their most recent away game on April 6 against Real Valladolid, and they have been playing well lately when they travel.

The Deep Blue Ones have, in fact, won six of their past seven away league games, including a thrilling 3-0 victory against Real Sociedad earlier this season.