Barcelona should beat Getafe for the first time in three attempts tonight, but it could be worth backing the Camp Nou visitors to score a consolation goal.
We are backing Barcelona to win and both teams to score as a combined bet – get 5/2 at 188BET
Getafe found the net four times against Barca in their two La Liga meetings last season, losing 5-2 at home and then achieving a superb 2-2 draw on their visit to this imposing stadium just under a year ago when Angel Lafita bagged a double.
And the team from just outside Madrid also collected a point when they hosted Barcelona in December, holding their illustrious opponents to a 0-0 stalemate as the finishing of the Primera Division title hopefuls was for once decidedly off-key.
With the campaign building up to its climax, there is little for Getafe to worry about in terms of their short-term top-flight future because they sit a healthy 13th in the table, five places and seven points clear of the relegation zone.
For Barcelona there is much more at stake because they are embroiled in a head-to-head battle with Real Madrid for the title and hold a two-point advantage, which is fully expected to be extended to five before their arch-rivals host Almeria on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi celebrates scoring a goal for Barcelona (Getty Images)
The fact both Spanish giants are also hoping to complete the double by winning the Champions League as well adds extra spice (the treble in Barcelona’s case) and, of course, the semi-final draw for the European competition kept them apart, setting up the prospect of a showdown in Berlin on June 6.
From Bonfire Night onwards, the draw away to Getafe was one of only four games out of the 38 they have played that Barcelona have failed to win, all of the other three – two defeats and a draw – also coming in La Liga.
It’s highly unlikely Luis Enrique’s side will slip up tonight and so then, for betting purposes, it comes down to whether you think Getafe will score a goal or not.
Their head-to-head record, certainly from last season, is fairly encouraging in that respect, although in fairness goals have been in relatively short supply of late for Pablo Franco’s team.
Nevertheless, we will opt for that consolation goal to be scored, with Enrique’s team selection of interest in case he chooses to rest a few players ahead of bigger tests to come, most notably Bayern Munich in the Champions League next Tuesday.
Recommended bets:
Barcelona to win and both teams to score
