Football Previews
Barcelona coach Luis Enrique believes Tuesday’s game against Getafe is one his team must win to capture the Primera Division title. The league leaders go into the encounter at the Nou Camp on the back of last weekend’s 2-0 triumph at city rivals Espanyol. The result kept Barca two points clear of Real Madrid with five games remaining. “The three points against Espanyol were vital in what was a special game,” Luis Enrique said to the Spanish press. “But Real Madrid are close to us and we need to keep winning games. “I am convinced that we need the three points tomorrow in order to aspire to the title.” Getafe held Barca to a goalless result back in December and also frustrated the Catalan giants last season, drawing 2-2 at the Nou Camp. “We are taking this game against Getafe very seriously,” Luis Enrique said. “Getafe are a difficult rival and even though they are without several players, they will pose problems for us. “But I see my players very motivated.” Barca have lost just two of their 16 league games at the Nou Camp this season. Getafe followed their 4-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao with a 1-0 home loss to Levante on Saturday. “Our defeat to Levante was a big blow for us,” Getafe coach Pablo Franco said. “But we are looking ahead. “We’ve had very little time to prepare for this game. “Barca are a fantastic team and are on an extraordinary run of form, perhaps their best of the season. “But we will go there ready to compete and looking to make life difficult for them.” Getafe have yet to defend their Primera Division status and are 13th in the standings, seven points clear of the drop zone. “It is taking us longer than we thought,” Franco said. “But we are convinced we will achieve our aim very soon.” Getafe travel to Barcelona without midfielders Pablo Sarabia and Diego Castro, both out injured. However, defenders Alexis Ruano and Emiliano Velazquez return from suspension. Barca are without the services of Spanish left-back Jordi Alba, who must serve a one-match ban.
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Team
MP
W
D
L
F
A
G
P
1
Barcelona
13
11
0
2
40
12
+28
33
2
Real Madrid
12
8
3
1
25
11
+14
27
3
Atlético de Madrid
13
7
5
1
19
7
+12
26
4
Villarreal
12
7
3
2
23
19
+4
24
5
Osasuna
13
6
3
4
17
20
-3
21
6
Athletic Bilbao
13
5
5
3
19
13
+6
20
7
Real Betis
13
5
5
3
14
12
+2
20
8
Real Sociedad
13
5
3
5
11
10
+1
18
9
Mallorca
13
5
3
5
10
10
+0
18
10
Girona
13
5
3
5
16
17
-1
18
11
Celta Vigo
13
5
2
6
20
22
-2
17
12
Rayo Vallecano
12
4
4
4
13
13
+0
16
13
Sevilla
13
4
3
6
12
18
-6
15
14
Leganes
13
3
5
5
13
16
-3
14
15
Alaves
13
4
1
8
14
22
-8
13
16
Las Palmas
13
3
3
7
16
22
-6
12
17
Getafe
13
1
7
5
8
11
-3
10
18
Espanyol
12
3
1
8
11
22
-11
10
19
Real Valladolid
13
2
3
8
10
25
-15
9
20
Valencia
11
1
4
6
8
17
-9
7
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