Preview: Real Valladolid vs. Getafe

Two teams battling for their La Liga survival will face off on the final day of the season when Real Valladolid play host to Getafe on Sunday.

The hosts are languishing in the relegation zone with one point separating them from safety, while Getafe are two points clear of their opponents.

Match preview

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After losing five consecutive games, Valladolid boosted their survival hopes with a statement 3-1 win over La Liga champions Barcelona.

Paul Pezzolano‘s were unable to make it back-to-back victories when they travelled to the Power Horse Stadium on Sunday, playing out a cagey goalless draw with Almeria, ensuring that they finished matchday 37 in the bottom three.

After winning promotion from the second tier last term, Valladolid are at risk of dropping out of the top flight after just one season.

The hosts will stay up if they can claim all three points on Saturday, while a draw will leave them relying on results elsewhere.

The opening goal could prove crucial to Valladolid’s survival hopes, as they have lost all 19 league games this season where they have conceded first.

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Getafe were situated in the La Liga relegation zone when Jose Bordalas returned to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez at the end of April, but the 59-year-old has managed to lead his team out of the bottom three.

Bordalas has quickly shored up the backline and made his side tough to beat, and as a result, he has lost just one of his six games in his second spell as Getafe boss.

The Azulones have not conceded more than one goal in any of those six matches, and they head into Sunday’s fixture off the back of consecutive victories over Real Betis and Osasuna.

Chimy Avila gave Osasuna an early lead last weekend before John is the Cannery restored parity in the 39th minute, and with the contest heading towards a draw, Jaime Mata scored a 90th-minute winner to guide Getafe to a 2-1 victory.

With two points separating them from the drop zone, Getafe will guarantee their place in the top flight with at least a point, but should they lose to Valladolid, they will be relegated if Almeria and Celta Vigo avoid defeat in their respective fixtures.

Real Valladolid La Liga format:

Getafe La Liga format:

Team News

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Salim Amallah, Luis Perez and Anwar will all miss out through injury, but Jawad El Yamiq and Joaquin Fernandez could be available for selection after returning to training.

Martin Hongla and Monchu are both suspended for the final game of the season due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Despite joining the club in January, Club Brugge loanee Cyle Larin is set to end the campaign as the club’s top scorer, and he will be looking to add to his eight-goal tally on Sunday.

As for the visitors, Enes Unal is sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Mauro Arambarri is a doubt after missing the last two matches.

Bordalas will be forced into a couple of changes, with Djene and Port suspended because of an accumulation of yellow cards.

The pair’s absence could lead to Gonzalo Villar and Munir El Haddadi being presented with starting opportunities.

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Fresneda, Sanchez, Fernandez, Olaza; Flat, Table, Gouache; Silver, Machis; larin

We say: Real Valladolid 1-1 Getafe

With so much at stake on the final day of the season, we expect Sunday’s contest to be a cagey affair, which may suit a Getafe side that would be content with picking up a point.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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