History
Though formed in 1923, this is actually the third different incarnation of the club. The modern-day Getafe Club de Fútbol started life in the lowest tier of Spanish football in 1983 and took just two decades to become, in 2004, only the fourth club from Madrid(after Real, Atlético and Rayo Vallecano) to play in the top flight.
And they’ve managed to hold on, having only missed out on one of the last sixteen editions of La Liga. They came within just two points of Champions League qualification last season, the club’s highest ever finish.
Head to head
The clubs first met for an official fixture in the 1978 Copa del Rey, and the unfancied Getamanaged an impressive 3–3 draw at home before being thumped 8–0 at the Camp Nou.
Since becoming a first division club in 2004, Getafe have faced Barça 28 times and only won two of those encounters, the last time in 2011.
Getafe have only scored two goals in the last eight meetings, which have included two 6-0 drubbings, but also a couple of 0-0 draws.
In this fixture last season, a first half goal from Arturo Vidal and a late own goal from Mauro Arambarri proved enough to win the game 2-0.
Form guide
Getafe’ have won all four of their last La Liga fixtures to nil, and currently sit in third place in the table on 42 points, seven behind Barça. Prior to that run of wins, they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey by Badalona 2-0. In their 23 league games this season, they've won 12, drawn six and lost five. The last team to beat them in La Liga was Real Madrid at the turn of the year.
They’re also involved in the Europa League again this season, and they face Ajax in the Round of 32 first leg a few days after the match against Barça.
The squad
Barça connections: Marc Cucurella is now at Getafe, although Barça have retained the rights to the left back/midfielder.
Most capped internationals: Fayçal Fajr (Morocco, 33); Djené Dakonam (Togo, 24); Allan Nyom (Cameroon, 17); Nemanja Maksimović (Serbia, 15); Vitorino Antunes (Portugal, 13)
Top scorer 2020/21: Ángel Rodríguez (9)
The boss
José Bordalás had only ever played or managed in the lower leagues until he guided Alavés to promotion to La Liga in 2016, but was rewarded with being sacked. Once again this season, he has Getafe playing some wonderful football, and their lofty league placing is entirely justified.
Source: FC Barcelona