Barcelona host Getafe at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in a Spanish La Liga fixture. The visitors are enjoying a fine start to the season, but could be in for a difficult time against the Catalans, who are in fine form at the moment.
It has been a solid start to the season for Barcelona, who are unbeaten in all competitions. Hansi Flick's men have picked four wins from five matches and are keeping close tabs on La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
Barcelona romped to a 6-0 home victory over Valencia in their previous La Liga fixture, with Robert Lewandowski, Fermin Lopez and Raphinha all netting braces. They followed up that result with a 2-1 victory over Newcastle in their opening UEFA Champions League fixture on Thursday.
Getafe can also be pleased with their start to the season, having won three of their opening four La Liga matches. They claimed a 2-0 home victory over Real Oviedo last time out in La Liga.
One issue for Getafe is that they are often unconvincing on their travels and have lost four of their last six La Liga away matches, stretching back to last season. Jose Bordalas' team have failed to score in those four defeats and were beaten 3-0 by Valencia in their previous fixture on the road.
How the bookies view it: Easy win for Barcelona
The bookies have installed Barcelona as overwhelming favourites, with a home win priced at 2/9 by BoyleSports. An unlikely victory for Barcelona is valued at 11/1 while a draw is offered at odds of 9/2.
Head to head: Barcelona usually dominant
Barcelona have a 30-4 advantage, with 10 draws in the last 44 matches against Getafe. The Catalans were unbeaten in this fixture last and claimed a 1-0 victory in the home clash, with Lewandowski scoring the only goal.
Players to watch: Eyes on Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski made his return from injury in fine style against Valencia by netting a brace off the bench. The striker was also on target in last season's home win over Getafe and will be the one to watch for Barcelona (Robert Lewandowski anytime goalscorer – available at 4/5 with BoyleSports).
Barcelona have also shown some defensive solidity this season, keeping clean sheets in two of their four matches. Jules Kounde and Pau Cubarsi are usually impressive at the back and can lead the Catalans to a clean sheet (Barcelona clean sheet – priced at 3/4).
Probable line-ups:
Marc-Andre ter Stergen, Gavi and Alejandro Balde are all ruled out of this game for Barcelona, while Lamine Yamal is also a doubt, having missed their last two matches. However, Jules Kounde and Pau Cubarsi should feature in defence while Marcus Rashford, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski are set to line up in attack.
For Getafe, Juanmi is ruled out due to a knee injury, while captain Djene Dakonam, Kiko Femenia and Abdel Abqar are doubtful for the trip. Domingos Duarte and Diego Rico should get the nod in defence, while Mauro Arambarri and Luis Milla are expected in midfield, with Borja Mayoral set to play up front.
Barcelona: Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Martin, Pedri, De Jong, Raphinha, Lopez, Rashford, Lewandowski
Getafe: Soria, Iglesias, Bekhoucha, Duarte, Davinchi, Rico, Martin, Milla, Arambarri, Mayoral, Liso
Anything else catch the eye?
Barcelona have won to nil in the last seven matches against Getafe (Barcelona win to nil – offered at 10/11 with BoyleSports). There have been more goals after the break in three of the last four matches (Second half most goals – available at 10/11).
Given the one-sided victory against Valencia, Barcelona will be targeting a similar result here (Barcelona -1 handicap – set at odds of 4/6).
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