Does Getafe have an advantage due to its style of play?
Many teams are struggling to beat Getafe this season. Most recently, Athletic Bilbao fell victim to the Azulones’ uncompromising style of play. Jose Bordalas and his team returned home from the dreaded San Mames with a 1-0 victory. At home, Getafe faces a beatable opponent in the Getafe vs. Girona tip.
At the bottom of the table, the Blanquivermells are trailing behind the rest of the Spanish Primera Division. Head coach Michel has only had to deal with one victory for his team in his post-match reviews so far (a 2-1 home win against Valencia). The visitors will once again have to do without three points in the Getafe vs. Girona prediction.
There will be no glitz and glamour or spectacular passing sequences in this encounter – not unusual for competitive matches involving Bordalas’s team. The rigorous style of play against the ball has had consequences – the Azulones have scored the fewest expected goals (7.0 xG) in the league. The best betting providers are definitely not expecting many goals in their Getafe vs. Girona betting odds.
Even the bottom team in the table had more and better scoring chances than the hosts (10.4 xG). On the other hand, Michel’s team’s defense is a complete mess. Girona conceded the second-most expected goals in the league (19.5 xGA) and accordingly has a negative expected goal difference of -9.1 xGD (17th).
The duel between Getafe’s offense and Girona’s defense can best be described as a clash of weaknesses. On the other hand, the hosts have a clear advantage thanks to the fourth-best expected defense (9.7 xGA).
Getafe – Girona Head-to-head record
Last season, both head-to-head matches ended in away wins – an exception compared to previous seasons. If we extend the period, the home team has won five of the seven previous matches. In addition, the Azulones have won three of their last four home games against Girona, two of them without conceding a goal.
With the help of the current style of play of the tenth-placed team, another home win without conceding a goal, or at least a clean sheet, is realistic. Getafe largely refrains from controlled build-up play and has only offered 20 sequences with 10 or more passes so far (20th). On average, the home side played only 2.22 passes per sequence – also the lowest figure in La Liga. Jose Bordalas has eliminated any risk from his approach.
Getafe – Girona Tip
On the other hand, the defensive concept is working all the better. Long balls are just as much a part of the match plan as the subsequent fight for second balls. High ball wins and quick finishes are very welcome. Although the number of passes allowed per defensive action is moderate (11.4 PPDA), the Azulones have already racked up 122 pressing sequences – the fourth-highest figure in La Liga.
Bordalas’ team does not press continuously and blindly, but rather in a targeted manner – with intelligence and a keen sense of appropriate risk management. In summary, their playing style can be described as vertical and confrontational – an unpleasant combination for any Spanish first division team.
So far, the coordination has been excellent in most cases. On average, Getafe allowed opposing teams in the Spanish top flight only 0.09 expected goals per shot – only Alaves is better in this category (0.08).
In addition, they defend their own penalty area with the utmost concentration and are largely protected from opposing attacks. Less than 60 percent of opposing shots against Getafe were taken from inside their own penalty area – a top-5 statistic.
