Best odds: 153/100
Bookmaker:
Espanyol and top-tier side Getafe are set to clash at Stage Front Stadium on Saturday evening, aiming to secure a spot in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Espanyol have experienced a string of draws in their recent La Liga 2 fixtures, marking a peculiar phase for the team. Meanwhile, Getafe s form in La Liga has hit a rough patch following a previous winning streak.
Espanyol
Espanyol concluded their 2023 calendar with a thrilling six-goal draw against Burgos at Stage Front Stadium in La Liga 2 on December 19. Sergi Gomez, Javi Puado, and former Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite were among the scorers in the exciting contest.
In their recent league outings, the hosts have managed three consecutive draws. Their most recent triumph was in the Copa del Rey against Real Valladolid on December 5. In that match, a spectacular brace from Jofre Carreras and Puado s 96th-minute goal secured a 3-1 victory.
Under the guidance of Luis Ramis, Espanyol currently occupy the fifth spot in the La Liga 2 standings, having gathered 34 points from 21 league fixtures. They trail second-placed Racing Club de Ferrol by just three points.
Espanyol stand out as one of the highest-scoring teams in the second tier this season, alongside playoff rivals Racing Santander. The trio of Puado, Braithwaite, and Pere Milla has collectively contributed 23 league goals so far in the campaign.
Team News
Espanyol may face the absence of Nico Ribaudo in Saturday s evening match due to a lingering shoulder injury he sustained back in November.
Victor Ruiz, the center-back, has been limited to just two league appearances this season due to ongoing hamstring troubles, casting doubt on his availability for this weekend s Copa del Rey encounter.
Leandro Cabrera, who has been a consistent presence in Espanyol s defense this season, might be sidelined for the upcoming game due to physical discomfort.
Getafe
Getafe s recent four-game unbeaten streak came to a halt at Estadio Civitas Metropolitano on Tuesday night as Rayo Vallecano secured a 2-0 victory, with Sergio Camello scoring both goals just before halftime, marking his first La Liga goals of the season.
Pepe Bordalas s side faced an uphill battle in the later stages of the match after conceding two goals. Their task became even more challenging as Mason Greenwood, Damian Suarez, and Juanmi Latasa were all shown red cards, leaving Getafe with only eight players for the final 20 minutes of the game.
After consistently finishing in the 15th spot in La Liga for the past three seasons, Getafe seems on track for an improved position this year, currently positioned ninth in the Spanish top flight. They stand 11 points clear of the relegation zone and are just six points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, who are set to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League next month.
At Estadio Coliseum, Getafe have established a strong home record this season, collecting 18 points from nine matches. Meanwhile, they have experienced less success away from home, managing just one win in their 10 league away games so far this season.
Team News
Getafe will be without Mauro Arambarri for the upcoming match, as he is set to remain sidelined for the rest of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury.
In addition to Arambarri s absence, the suspensions of Greenwood, Latasa, and Suarez mean that other players, such as Jose Angel Carmona and Turkey international Enes Unal, will be vying for starting positions in the lineup.
Conclusion
While Espanyol have maintained a streak of consistent results lately, they ll require more than a draw to progress to the next round of the competition.
Despite Getafe s disappointing performance against Rayo Vallecano, the visitors should have enough strength to secure their spot in the last 16 come Saturday.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 153/100
Bookmaker:
