FC Barcelona vs Getafe: No relax

Barcelona (FCB).- Barça players are determined to keep up a superb run of form and results with another win in the Camp Nou against Getafe. This would be the 10^th league win in a row, which would lift Barça to within a point of Real Madrid, pending the result of the Spanish League leader’s visit to local rivals Atlético Madrid.  It won’t be easy as Getafe, along with Osasuna, are one of only two sides to beat Barça in the Spanish League this season.

It will be a vital match against an uncomfortable opponent.  In Josep Guardiola’s first season in charge, Getafe secured a 1-1 draw in the Camp Nou.  The last two encounters have ended in a narrow 2-1 win for Barça.

All in all, a series of close results against a Getafe side that sits comfortably in midtable but has an eye on a sixth place finish that would open the door to Europe.  Osasuna currently occupy that coveted sixth place just a point ahead of Getafe.  It has all the signs of being a hard-fought match.

Cesc suspended

FC Barcelona Manager, Josep Guardiola, will be without Cesc Fàbregas (suspended) while Gerard Piqué (who missed out on the Zaragoza game) and Dani Alves remain doubtful with thigh problems.  Apart from these three, Guardiola will definitely be without Afellay, Villa, Fontàs and Abidal, who all have long-term injury problems.

Getafe bring in Masilela and Rubén Perez

Luis Garcia’s Getafe side come to the Camp Nou on the back of decent five-match run including home wins against Real Sociedad, Valencia and Sporting, a goalless draw away to Osasuna and just one defeat away to  Atlético Madrid.  They are tenth with 42 points but just one point off a UEFA League place.  Their away form this season has been mixed, with four wins, eight defeats and four draws.  The Getafe coach has brought in the South African international defender Masilela and Spain under-21 midfielder Rubén Perez to replace Mané (suspended) and Pablo Sarabia.  At his pre-match press conference, Garcia told reporters, “We’ll have to compete at the maximum”.