Villarreal at Getafe: La Liga Preview

Thursday, when it finally happened, was a lot of fun, but it will be a very different set of characters that takes on Getafe this Sunday, and our opponent will be far more talented than Maccabi, who with all due respect looked outmatched from the outset. We try to break things down to get you ready for the latest La Liga test for Villarreal.

Our Opponents

Getafe, as always, will want to pressure us from the outset. They are fourth in La Liga for the most pressures, and curiously enough we’ve actually already faced all three teams ahead of them (Alaves, Cadiz, and Valladolid). They’ll press higher up the pitch than some of these other teams, and with much better players, so we need to be on our guard.

We all know about Marc Cucurella and the danger he represents on their left flank, fortunately we’ll have Gerard to help cover that side instead of Samu or Kubo. Jaime Mata and Angel Rodriguez are both elder statesmen but will be threats in front of goal. Enes Unal, who moved to Getafe from us this past summer, will probably be a substitute for one of the old guys at some point.

Villarreal

Emery pulled Iborra and Parejo at the same time yesterday, and I expect both those guys to be back in the lineup Sunday. I think we’ll have Unai Emery’s preferred XI available, so there’s no reason we can’t go on the road and at least get a point, if not better. Here’s how I think the lineup will look:

lineupbuilder.com

Prediction

I’m feeling a draw, maybe 1-1?