Soccer Spain LaLiga 28 February 2023

Villarreal vs Getafe - Match Preview

Villarreal’s freefall down the top half of La Liga’s (LL) standings continued as they ended the round with the division’s second-longest losing streak (L4) courtesy of their second two-goal loss to Mallorca this season. The pressure is intensifying on new boss Quique Setién, who has just clocked up four months in the job after the sinking Yellow Submarine completed their longest LL losing streak of this century.

Setién granted his squad two days off to refresh and reset mentally ahead of this Monday night battle with Getafe, who held Villarreal to the first of their nine scoreless efforts this LL season in the reverse H2H (0-0). Villarreal doesn’t appear deserving of European football after losing to three top-half clubs in their last four outings, but their stellar W6, D4, and L1 record in LL against teams that started this round 11th or lower gives them hope of ending their poor recent run.

Getafe broke a 52-day drought and became the 19th club in the division to record their first LL win of 2023 as they left the relegation zone with a precious 1-0 victory over Valencia. That followed 1-1 draws with Vallecano and Atlético Madrid that underlined their potential against higher-ranked opposition, having long put their four-game LL losing streak behind them.

Whilst Getafe manager Quique Sánchez Flores was sad about the state of his beloved Valencia following the game, he spoke highly of the “energy” a breakthrough win can provide. Their next obstacle in the fight for survival is securing back-to-back LL wins for the first time in 17 games, and to do so would also bring to an end a series of three straight 1-0 losses in away H2Hs.

📋 Players to watch: After he ended his 16-game LL goal-scoring drought last round, Villarreal will hope José Luis Morales can score his first goal in ten H2Hs as they continue battling with key injuries. Getafe could do with Enes Ünal getting involved a little earlier, for just one of his seven LL goals this season has been scored in the first 40 minutes.

⚡ Hot stat: Getafe’s last seven LL matches were either drawn or ended with a one-goal margin, whilst Villarreal’s last five victories in the competition have also been by a single goal.