Both Granada and Getafe have essentially nothing to fight for going into this final match of the season. Getafe have narrowly managed to avoid relegation along with Elche as Huesca, Valladolid, and Eibar have been restricted to the drop zone this year. Granada would like to win the final match so that they can overtake Athletic Bilbao in the league table and manage a top 10 finish.
After the excitement, tension, madness, frenzy and suspense of Saturday’s title-deciding fixtures and relegation battles, La Liga 2020/21 winds down to a gentler finish for the season with two largely inconsequential games on Sunday.
On their return to La Liga last season following promotion from the Segunda division, Granada managed a spectacular seventh-place finish and managed to impress everyone with their run of form. This time, however, Diego Martinez’s side are unlikely to match their incredible achievement from last season, even in the final gameweek.
However, they can eclipse Athletic Bilbao, winners of the Spanish Super Cup this season, in the league table. Currently, Athletic are in the ninth position with 46 points to their name, and a win over Getafe here at the Nuevo Los Carmenes Stadium will propel Granada to the ninth spot instead.
The Andalusian side have suffered from inconsistency this season, with 13 wins, six draws and 18 losses from their 37 matches. Their 2-1 comeback win against Barcelona at the Camp Nou has been their major bragging point in recent weeks. Granada put the upset of a heavy defeat against Manchester United in their Europa League Quarter-Final tie behind to deny the Catalan side from taking command of La Liga in the final stages.
However, since then, Diego Martinez’s side have failed to pick up points. They lost to Cadiz, Real Betis, Real Madrid, and Alaves on successive occasions and have endured a torrid run of form recently. They would want to end their La Liga season with a great result at home where they have been relatively strong. Granada have won nine of their 18 fixtures at home turf.
Getafe, meanwhile, have the third-worst record for a team on the road in La Liga this season. This has been an absolutely disappointing campaign for Getafe who finished eighth, fifth, and eighth over the last three seasons. They have won nine games, drawn 10 matches, and lost on 18 occasions so far.
It took a late 2-1 win against Levante last time around to ensure Getafe’s survival in the top-flight. Takefusa Kubo, who has cut a rather frustrating figure this season, came off the bench to score the deciding goal in that match.
With head coach Jose Bordalas attracting plenty of attention from Valencia, this game could prove to be the end of the Bordalas era at Getafe – a successful period in the club’s history. A win tonight could take them to the 15th spot depending upon the result of the match between Alaves and Sevilla later in the night.
Key Players
Roberto Soldado has had a distinguished career in La Liga, playing an important role for sides like Getafe, Villarreal and Valencia over the years. His tenure at Valencia is especially remarkable and Soldado found the back of the net 59 times for Valencia in 101 appearances. He had also represented Spain in the 2013 Confederations Cup. Roberto Soldado has been the top-scorer for Granada in La Liga this season with nine goals.
Darwin Machis has been the major creative force for Granada on the left flank. His darting runs and pace have kept defences on their foot and Machis has found the back of the net four times this season, which includes the all-important equaliser against Barcelona. Machis has also set up five goals for his teammates in La Liga.
The former Barcelona B prodigy Marc Cucurella has proven to be an important asset for Getafe over the years. Cucurella provides the necessary width and overlapping runs that helps Bordalas’ side stretch the opposition defence and open up spaces in the final third. He can also be decisive in that zone and has five goal contributions in the league this season.
Jaime Mata is Getafe’s most reliable name in front of goal and will be expected to lead the line once again. Mata is the joint top-scorer for Getafe this season along with Angel Rodriguez, having found the net on five occasions.
Prediction
Historically, Granada hold the upper hand in this fixture. They have beaten Getafe seven times, having played 14 matches, while the Madrid-based side have only managed three wins against Granada. Bordalas’ side have also won both their last two league meetings against Getafe, including the 1-0 success in the reverse fixture in October last year.
Though Granada have struggled over their last four matches and have dropped points consistently, they are expected to take the game to Getafe. Granada have conceded the most goals in La Liga this season, whereas Getafe have scored the fewest goals. Don’t be surprised if the match ends up in a draw between the two teams.
