Two teams inside the La Liga relegation zone will lock horns on Monday evening, with Getafe welcoming Valencia to Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Getafe are currently 19th in the table, having picked up just 19 points from their opening 21 matches, while Valencia are 18th, boasting 20 points from their first 21 games in a disappointing 2022-23.

Getafe and Valencia now stand alone as the two remaining clubs yet to win a La Liga (LL) match in 2023, and with both clubs sitting in the relegation zone, this game feels like a real six-pointer.

Getafe have at least claimed two draws (L4) during 2023 compared with Valencia’s one (L6), and after taking points from two top-six clubs in their last two LL outings (1-1 at Atlético Madrid and 1-1 at home to Vallecano), they appear the more likely of the duo to secure a first LL victory of the calendar year.

The result against Vallecano was also enough for manager Quique Sánchez Flores to avoid being heaped onto LL’s mounting list of sackings in 2022/23, even if he candidly admitted after the match that “a draw was not enough” to keep them safe in what remains their poorest season of the last decade in terms of points earned at this stage (19).

This is a very difficult match to call, as cases for both sides to win can be made. There has only been one draw in their last four meetings, but we are finding it difficult to separate them considering Getafe’s issues at home and Valencia’s troubles on their travels.

Getafe possible starting lineup:

Soria; Duarte, Dakonam, Alderete, Alvarez; Villar, Arambarri, Algobia; Munir, Unal, Mayoral

Valencia possible starting lineup:

Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Comert, Diakhaby, Gaya; Guillamon, Almeida, Musah; Kluivert, Duro, Lino

Getafe La Liga form:

LLLLDD

Valencia La Liga form:

LDLLLL

Valencia form (all competitions):

DLLLLL

Their opening goal in that game was just their third first-half goal in an extensive rut of eight losses from their last 11 LL fixtures (W1, D2), which also makes anything close to a repeat of their tremendous 5-1 rout of Getafe at home last September – in which they stormed to a 3-0 lead within 16 minutes – unlikely. In fact, after failing to win any of their last four competitive trips to Getafe (D1, L3), Valencia could be fortunate to come home with any points!

Key battle: After his last gasp penalty save against Vallecano last round, one Spanish publication went as far as to declare that goalkeeper David Soria single handedly saved Quique’s job!

Valencia will be hoping that Samuel Lino, who has scored in two of Valencia’s last three competitive games not involving the suspended Samu Castillejo, can repeat the dose again

Hot stat: All but one of Valencia’s last ten LL matches were level at half-time.