Preview: Getafe vs. Eibar - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams battling for their lives at the bottom of La Liga will lock horns at Coliseum Alfonso Perez on Sunday afternoon, with 15th-placed Getafe welcoming basement side Eibar for a key encounter.

Getafe are only four points above the relegation zone entering the final straight, while Eibar sit 20th, five points from the safety of 17th position, meaning there is no downplaying the importance of this match.

Match preview

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Having finished eighth, fifth and eighth in their last three La Liga seasons, there is no question that it has been a disappointing campaign for Getafe, who are still battling to retain their status at this level.

A record of eight wins, 10 draws and 16 defeats from 34 matches has seen them collect 34 points from 34 matches, leaving them in 15th position, just four points above the bottom three at the time of writing.

Getafe managed to record an important 2-0 victory over Huesca at the end of April but will enter this weekend's match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Europa League finalists Villarreal last time out.

Jose Bordalas's side are unbeaten in their last eight La Liga meetings with Eibar, which should hand them confidence ahead of this game, but they have found it difficult to show consistency at home this term, winning five, drawing six and losing six of their 17 La Liga fixtures at Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

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Eibar are not quite in last-chance saloon, but it would be fair to say that time is running out for the strugglers as they bid to pull themselves out of the relegation zone entering the final straight.

Los Armeros are actually in their seventh straight season at this level of football, and they have not particularly been in danger of being relegated in each of the last five campaigns.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side just have not won enough games this season, picking up maximum points in just five of their 34 fixtures, and a total of 26 points has left them at the bottom, five points from 17th spot.

Eibar should enter this match in a confident mood, though, having recorded an impressive 3-0 victory over Alaves last time out; Kike scored all three goals for the hosts, who had been winless since the start of January ahead of the contest on May 1.

Mendilibar's team have performed better on their travels than at home this season, meanwhile, avoiding defeat in eight of their 17 fixtures on the road.

Team News

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Getafe will again be without the services of Erick Cabaco and Cucho Hernandez this weekend through injury, while Allan Nyom is a doubt with the problem that he picked up against Villarreal.

The bulk of the side that took to the field against the Yellow Submarine should remain in place, with Enes Unal again joining Jaime Mata as part of a front two.

There is expected to be a change in a wide area, though, with Carles Alena set to get the nod over Juan Iglesias, who could drop down to the bench alongside the likes of Angel and Takefusa Kubo.

As for Eibar, Cote should shake off a knock to feature at left-back, but the match is expected to come too soon for both Pedro Bigas and Alejandro Pozo.

The visitors will be boosted by the return of Recio from suspension, but it would not be a surprise to see a midfield two of Miguel Atienza and Papa Diop due to their impressive performances against Alaves.

There are unlikely to be any surprises in the final third of the field, meanwhile, with Kike set to be joined by Sergi Enrich for the key encounter.

Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Suarez, Timor, Dakonam, Olivera; Alena, Maksimovic, Arambarri, Cucurella; Mata, Unal

Eibar possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Correa, Oliveira, Arbilla, Cote; Gil, Diop, Atienza, Exposito; Kike, Enrich

We say: Getafe 1-1 Eibar

Draws are no good for Eibar at this stage of the season, but we are finding it difficult to back them to win away to Getafe, who are still capable of putting in excellent performances; it should be a tight and cagey affair on Sunday, and we have had to settle on a low-scoring draw.