Getafe vs Elche Prediction: Teams to be Tied at the Half

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The Friday night football in Spain this week comes from the Coliseum. Getafe take on Elche in a meeting of two teams who play very different brands of football. 

Almost a decade has now passed since Pepe Bordalás first took charge at Getafe, when the club was languishing near the bottom of the Segunda División. While he did briefly depart to take charge of Valencia in 2021, Los Azulones have quickly rediscovered their old identity since turning back to the now 61-year-old in 2023. 

They play a defensive brand of football that is rarely easy on the eye. They rank second-lowest in La Liga for both average possession and shots per game. Their xG tally of just 9.2 is also the worst record in the Spanish top flight. 

However, Bordalás' style continues to get results. A strong defensive record has helped them to five victories already this term, with midfielder Luis Milla almost always the main source of creativity. Getafe are in seventh place as it stands, and another win here would further boost their surprise European credentials. 

The hosts do head into this match following back-to-back 1-0 defeats. They were narrowly beaten in Mallorca just prior to the international break, while only a late own goal from Domingos Duarte denied them a point in their derby with Atlético Madrid last time out. 

As for Elche, their approach is to keep the ball on the ground and build from the back. They've completed 87% of their passes, the third-highest figure in La Liga behind Barcelona and Real Madrid. They faced the latter last weekend in an entertaining game at the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero. 

The newly promoted side twice took the lead. Former Real Madrid youth team players Aleix Febas and Álvaro Rodríguez both scored excellent goals against their old club, but Los Franjiverdes ultimately had to make do with a 2-2 draw. 

They've had some tough fixtures in recent weeks, but a six-game winless run in La Liga may start to concern Eder Sarabia if that streak continues to grow. The fear may be that opposing teams eventually figure out how best to combat their bold approach, which has largely seen them compete back in the Spanish top flight to date. 

Another concern is the disparity between their home and away results. They've outplayed most opponents and remain unbeaten at the Martínez Valero. However, Elche are yet to win away in the league this term, and have lost their last three on the road. 

Team News: 

We're getting to that stage in the season when a physical Getafe side tends to start picking up suspensions. They'll be missing centre-back Abdel Abqar and midfielder Mario Martín here, with the duo both collecting their fifth yellow cards last weekend. Only five other players in La Liga have hit that mark. 

Kiko Femenía and Álex Sancris could be drafted in to replace those two, with a shift to a slightly more adventurous system possible in a more favourable fixture. 18-year-old Davinchi is their only other absentee, with the defender out with a long-term injury. 

As for Elche, Sarabia doesn't have many reasons to make changes following such a spirited display against Real Madrid last Sunday. However, Víctor Chust did see red in the final minutes of that game, so Pedro Bigas ought to earn a recall in central defence. Winger Josan Ferrández is the only injury doubt for the visitors. 

Álvaro is pushing for a start up front, following the impact he made off the bench last time out. The 21-year-old was on loan at Getafe last season, but only scored twice in 22 league appearances, so this may be another fixture where he has something of a point to prove.