Almeria vs Getafe

22/12- Booth teams are coming off matches where they have lost out to the opponent’s dominance. While Almeria suffered a 3-1 away loss to the bottom table occupants Real Betis, Getafe lost with the same margin at home against a strong Villareal. There is not much to choose between the teams though Almeria is 3 places higher than Getafe the actual point difference is just one. Almeria should be rather confident though as they would have a strong home support as well as the last two games they played in their backyard they defeated teams like Valladolid and Sevilla. The biggest problem though is their goal scoring ability, they have just scored a total of 14 goals in 16 matches and 6 of them have been netted by striker Sanchez, so basically Almeria depend a lot on him to convert and hence they can win. But the fact remains that when at home Almeria have hardly given away goals as well so the story may be that the home side might not allow goals and if their striker fires, they win.

 

Getafe on the other hand have faced two back to back defeats and are hoping to pick up some points at least in this away tie. The team this season has not been about individual brilliance or star performance but several players have put their hands up at different times and hence possibly their top 2 goal scorers Rodriguez and Sousa have just 3 goals each even though they have nearly 1 goal every match. Their away form has also not been great and hence too much resilience cannot be expected but the visitors would have to show heart and courage.

 

Though there is little to choose from, Almeria at home and in better form look favorites

 

Prediction: 2-0, Almeria win

UEFA CUP GROUP G: Getafe vs. Anderlecht

Getafe go into this last Group G match of the UEFA cup needing a single point to qualify for the next round. A defeat though, could see them eliminated so there will be plenty of nervous fans watching this game. The Spanish side lost again on Sunday in La Liga, which was their second consecutive defeat in their domestic league. They lost three goals to one at home to Villarreal in a very poor display. Certainly not one to inspire confidence before this game. If Anderlecht can take all three points they will finish top of the group and avoid a lot of difficult rivals, so they will be out in force to make sure they get the job done. Unfortunately, the Belgium club is also going through a difficult period, getting just one win from their last seven matches, and that victory was in the Belgium cup against a second division side. Neither side is high on confidence, which will result in a scrappy game where practically anything can happen, although Getafe do have the advantage of playing in front of their own crowd.

This game I think is going to be very difficult to predict, mostly because neither side is doing particularly well this season. This is Getafe’s first time in Europe after they were granted a UEFA place last year for reaching the King’s cup final (which they lost to Sevilla). Then coach Bernd Schuster decided to go to Real Madrid though, and Getafe brought in Michael Laudrup. His reign got off to a pretty bad start, but they have recently been playing better. However, they are still just one point above the relegation zone and should be looking to secure their place in La Liga next season rather than seek European glory. I’m going for an away win here, as Anderlecht have much more experience when it comes to crunch European games. Getafe though will still probably qualify in third place, which I am not sure will be a good thing for the club.

Prediction: Away win (1-3)

Getafe vs Levante - 2/12

Eleventh placed Getafe will be looking at an entry in the top half table after this week’s home toe against bottom of the table Levante. The only thing they need to beware about is complacency, the struggling Levante booked their second victory in 3 matches last week when they beat Real Betis a home but if records are to be considered, Levante have not registered a point away from home this season and the chances this time look dull as well. Getafe on the other hand has just lost one match at home and that too against league toppers Real Madrid.

 

Giovanni De Biasi, the new coach for Levante, has started on a positive note for the club and if the team can manage their first away points they can be said to be back in contention and still might just have an escape from the relegation zone. Rigano is stillmissing from the side and his inclusion is a distant possibility but on the other hand the form of Mustafa Riga was good and he looked impressive last week. Levante would also like to make the most of the kind of football they have played over the past few weeks and the form and momentum they have gained.

 

Getafe is a highly attacking side and the match can be patchy with quick turn around and fast paced soccer. With the home crowd and the terrific record there are not many people who fear a loss but Getafe would be looking at the full 3 points and if they are not able to convert them, they will be highly disappointed. Levante on the other hand will be happy with a draw as well and will be hoping to score some more away goals to help their cause and climb their way up the ladder.

 

Prediction: 1-0, Getafe win

 

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