Barcelona will be looking to return to winning ways in La Liga when they welcome fourth-placed Getafe to Camp Nou on Sunday night for what is shaping up to be a fascinating clash.
Barca have already secured the league title, but have lost their last two matches in all competitions, including a shock 4-0 defeat at Liverpool in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night.
On the surface, there is little for the Catalan giants to play for this weekend. The same cannot be said for Getafe, though, with the capital outfit sitting fourth as they look to secure a Champions League finish.
Barcelona
© ReutersWell, it would be fair to say that not too many would have predicted what happened at Anfield on Tuesday night. Barca entered the second leg of their Champions League semi-final with Liverpool holding a 3-0 advantage from the first leg at Camp Nou.
Liverpool must be praised for what has been a terrific 2018-19 campaign thus far, but the Reds were without Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah for the second leg, and really should not have been given the chance to hit back. It was a desperately poor night for Barca, though, with the team losing 4-0 on the night to miss out on the final.
Ernesto Valverde's side looked well-placed to secure a famous treble this season, but they might well have to settle for the double. Indeed, with the league title already secured, Barca will take on Valencia in the Copa del Rey final later this month as they go in search of another domestic trophy.
It is difficult to call Barca's season a disappointment, but there is no question that the loss on Merseyside has had a big impact. Valverde should survive the sack, but a number of underperforming players - including potentially Philippe Coutinho - are expected to be shown the exit door this summer.
It is worth remembering that Barca entered the clash with Liverpool off the back of a 2-0 loss at Celta Vigo last weekend. The Catalan giants have been the best team in Spain's top flight once again, though, winning 25, drawing eight and losing just three of their 36 league games thus far.
Atletico Madrid in second are currently nine points off Barca, while third-placed Real Madrid are 15 points off the summit. The top three spots have already been secured, but there is a fascinating battle for the final Champions League spot involving Getafe, Valencia and Sevilla heading into the final couple of matches.
In terms of what is ahead for Barca, they will follow Sunday's clash with Getafe by travelling to Eibar for their final La Liga game of the season next weekend. Then comes the final of the Copa del Rey against Valencia on May 24, and that will be it before pre-season starts again in the latter stages of July.
Lionel Messi has once again had a terrific campaign, managing 48 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions. It was not the Argentine's night at Anfield, though, and there is a chance that Getafe could face a fired-up and angry Messi on Sunday night, which will not be great news for the capital side.
Recent form: WDWWWL
Recent form (all competitions): WWWWLL
Getafe
© ReutersThere will be a lot of focus on Barca this weekend, but the real story heading into Sunday's match is Getafe. Indeed, a wonderful campaign thus far has brought El Geta 58 points, which has left them three points clear of fifth-placed Valencia heading into Week 37 in Spain's top flight.
Only Barca (3), Atletico (6) and Valencia (7) have lost fewer league games than Getafe (8) this season, while only Atletico (26) have conceded fewer goals (31). Even if Getafe were to fall short in their battle for fourth then the 2018-19 campaign would still be considered a huge success for the club.
Indeed, the capital outfit only returned to Spain's top flight last season after a year in the Segunda Division; they posted eighth last term, but are now looking to secure a top-four spot for the first time in their history.
As it stands, Getafe's best ever season in La Liga came back in 2009-10, when they finished sixth. Valencia will fancy their chances of beating Alaves on Sunday night, but Sevilla go to Atletico and therefore a positive result for Getafe at Camp Nou would place the team in an incredible position heading into their clash with Villarreal on May 18.
Much of Getafe's success this season has been built on their home form, which has seen them win 11 of their 18 matches. El Geta have lost just three times on their travels, but have recorded just four wins, with 11 away draws this term a league high.
Jose Bordalas's side will enter Sunday's match off the back of a 2-0 home win over Girona last weekend, while they have beaten Sevilla and drawn with Real Madrid over the last few weeks.
On paper, it is a very tough ask for the visitors to avoid defeat at Camp Nou, but they held the Catalan giants to a goalless draw in the corresponding match last season. Meanwhile, Barca only just triumphed - 2-1 - when the pair met in the Spanish capital back in January.
Getafe will be without the services of Jaime Mata this weekend, though, which is a huge blow to their chances. The Spain international has managed 14 La Liga goals this season, but is suspended after picking up a yellow card in the win over Girona last weekend.
Recent form: WDWDLW
Team News
© ReutersBarca will be without the services of Luis Suarez, who has undergone a knee operation. The Uruguay international joins Ousmane Dembele on the sidelines, with a hamstring problem making the attacker unavailable for selection.
Rafinha is also still absent as he recovers from a knee operation, but Valverde otherwise has a full squad to choose from heading into Sunday's clash at Camp Nou.
Carles Alena and Samuel Umtiti are amongst those who could come into the XI this weekend, while Nelson Semedo and Arthur - who both came off the bench at Anfield - might also feature from the start.
It remains to be seen whether there is a spot for Coutinho, though, as speculation surrounding the Brazil international's future continues to gather pace ahead of this summer's transfer window.
As for Getafe, centre-back Bruno Gonzalez is suspended alongside leading scorer Mata.
Ignasi Miquel could come into the back four as a replacement for Gonzalez, with Angel potentially given the nod in the final third alongside Jorge Molina, who is also enjoying a terrific campaign.
There could also be a change in midfield as Francisco Portillo impressed off the bench against Girona, while Djene Dakonam - linked with some of Europe's biggest clubs - will start in central defence once again.
Amath Ndiaye and Vitorino Antunes, though, are long-term absentees with knee injuries.
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Arthur, Busquets, Alena; Coutinho, Messi, Malcom
Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Cabrera, Dakonam, Miquel, Suarez; Oliveira, Maksimovic, Arambarri, Portillo; Angel, Molina
Head To Head
Goals from Messi and Luis Suarez saw Barca run out 2-1 winners over Getafe earlier this season.
The two teams played out a goalless draw at Camp Nou last term, but Barca did thump El Geta 6-0 in Catalonia during the 2015-16 campaign.
Getafe, meanwhile, have never been victorious in a league game at the home of Barca, which is an indication of the size of the task facing the capital outfit on Sunday night.
We say: Barcelona 2-2 Getafe
It would not be a surprise to see Barca return to winning ways, but Getafe have been very tough to beat on their travels this season. We fancy the visitors to claim a point to boost their top-four hopes.
