To start 2015, Getafe will look to continue their La Liga position as they look to be slowly improving during this campaign. Getafe will be playing hosts to a struggling Rayo Vallecano. The home side finished off 2014 with three draws against Levante and Granada, but both of these matches were away from home. Sandwiched in between, however, was a very impressive scoreless draw against Barcelona. During this match Barcelona managed seven shots on target, but Guaita met them all spectacularly. The home side also won both of the legs in the Copa Del Rey as they knocked out an impressive Eibar side by an aggregate score of 5-1.
Getafe do not score many goals, seeing as they have only managed to find the back of the net 12 times in La Liga up to this. 26-year-old French midfielder Abdoul Yoda is the leading goal scorer in his first season as he has got on the score sheet on four occassions, which isn't that great of an output if you are leading your club in scoring.
On the other hand, Rayo Vallecano has been slipping further and further down the table with each passing match. They do sit level on points with the hosts, but have a worse goal differential (-14). For Los Franjirrojos, the winter break could have come at a better time. Vallecano had lost their last three matches of 2014, while only managing to score one while letting in seven.
Vallecano have scored five more times than their oppostition, but have also given up 31 goals compared to their counterparts 20, which is second worse in the league. Only Elche have given up more goals in league play and they currently sit at the bottom of the table.
The hosts are without Roberto Lago and Sergio Escudero as they are both out due to injury. But they will not be a big blow to the harmony of the squad as the duo rarely appear in matches for Getafe. Rayo Vallecano will be without veteran defender Ze Castro, who has played in 10 matches this season, only being substituted once. Cobeño and young Ghanian Mohammed Fatau will both be missing the trip to the Coliseum Alfonso Perez this weekend for Vallecano.
Do not expect there to be many goal scoring opportunities as both sides struggle to get forward up the pitch. Both sides will play a tight defense while they try to win the ball in the middle of the park to prevent the opposition from getting in behind their back line. This game will be won and lost on set pieces because of the sides lack of attacking prowess. Both Getafe and Rayo Vallecano need to be aware of where the other sides are in and around the box because if there is a lapse in concentration and the ball finds its way into the back of the net, that might be all three points then and there.