Madrid, Feb 3 (IANS) Real Madrid make the short trip to Getafe Saturday as they look to maintain their seven-point lead at the top of the Spanish Primera Liga football.
Last weekend’s results gave Jose Mourinho’s a comfortable lead over Barcelona, a lead which looks even more impressive bearing in mind they have dropped just 8 points in 20 matches this season.
Getafe has traditionally been a ground where Madrid have struggled and the team coached by Luis Garcia has picked up its form following a poor start to the season, which saw them close to the relegation zone, Xinhua reported.
Getafe have only lost twice in front of their fans and are the only team to have beaten Barcelona in the league, as a result they are a rival Madrid have to take seriously, even though striker Dani Guiza is suspended.
Madrid have been able to rest in midweek as they are no longer playing in the Copa del Rey and Mourinho’s side should be at full strength.
Sami Khedira is still recovering from an ankle injury and will miss out, but Xabi Alonso looks to have shaken off the effects of a groin strain, while Marcelo has also recovered from a muscle problem he suffered in last Saturday’s easy win at home to Zaragoza.
Angel de Maria is the only other doubt after having been sidelined for a month with a thigh problem, but the winger should be able to at least take a place on the bench if Mourinho needs him.
Except for a surprise defeat to Levante and a draw away to Racing Santander, Madrid have been virtually unstoppable on their travels. With home games against those two teams to come over the next fortnight, followed by another short trip to play Rayo Vallecano, Mourinho knows a win in Getafe should set the scene for a clean sweep of points in the coming month.
