Espanyol is set to face Getafe at Estadio Coliseum on Saturday night, aiming for a fourth consecutive victory in La Liga. Currently positioned fifth in the standings, Espanyol trails Atlético Madrid by four points, while Getafe sits in eighth, also four points adrift of sixth-placed Real Betis.
Getafe has had a respectable start to the 2025-26 season, recording six wins, two draws, and seven losses for a total of 20 points. This marks an improvement from last season, where the team finished 13th, and ambitions for European qualification are certainly within reach. However, they enter this match on the back of a 2-0 defeat to Villarreal, despite winning two of their last three outings, including a notable 1-0 victory against Elche at home in late November.
Historically, the fixture has been competitive, with Getafe winning 15 of the last 41 encounters against Espanyol, including two 1-0 victories in their most recent three La Liga meetings. The last match ended with Espanyol overcoming Getafe 1-0 in April 2025. Notably, the last four league meetings have all finished with a score of 1-0, emphasizing the closely contested nature of this rivalry.
Espanyol’s current form has put them in a promising position, boasting eight wins, three draws, and four losses, yielding 27 points. Their recent wins against Sevilla, Celta Vigo, and Rayo Vallecano have shown their capability, and they could potentially secure a Champions League spot before the winter break. Historically, the club has struggled to maintain a higher league position; their last finish above seventh was in 2005, making this season’s performance crucial.
In terms of team news, Getafe will miss Luis Milla, who is suspended following a red card in their last match. Davinchi remains sidelined due to a knee injury. The team’s formation is expected to remain consistent, featuring forward duo Samuel Lino and Borja Mayoral, who have collectively scored nine goals this season.
Espanyol, on the other hand, will also be without a key player, as Tyrhys Dolan is suspended due to a red card in their recent match against Rayo Vallecano. Although there may be a return for Clemens Riedel following illness, Javi Puado will still be out due to a knee injury. Charles Pickel is anticipated to take Dolan’s place in the lineup that has been relatively stable in previous matches.
Both teams have shown a propensity for low-scoring affairs in their recent meetings, and the upcoming clash is expected to be no different. The match could likely end in a draw, with each side sharing the points in what promises to be a tightly contested encounter.
