Getafe vs. Real Madrid: Complete Preview, Live Stream, Start Time and More

Real Madrid will look to continue pulling away from rivals Barcelona in the La Liga table when the leaders play on the road against Getafe. The first meeting between the teams this season yielded a 4-2 Madrid victory.

It's been a season of ups and downs for Getafe. Whenever it seems like the Azulones are starting to build up some momentum, they've suffered a setback. Even so, they enter the second half of the season just two points out of a European spot, which means there's a lot to play for starting on Saturday.

The road has been much more smooth for Los Blancos. They are seven points clear of Barcelona thanks to a dominant offense that is averaging 3.5 goals per game. Everybody knows how good Barca can be when they are in form, but it's going to be extremely difficult for them to chase down Real Madrid.

Where: Estadio Coliseum Alfonso Perez in Getafe, Spain

When: Saturday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. ET

Watch: ESPN3.com

Betting Odds: Real Madrid -325, Getafe +780, Draw +390

Player to Watch for Getafe: Nicolas “Miku” Fedor

Miku has been one of the lone bright spots in an otherwise shaky Getafe attack. After scoring just seven goals in all of last season, he's already found the back of the net on six occasions during the current campaign. It's starting to seem like the Venezuelan striker was simply a late bloomer.

He's able to gain leverage in the box thanks to his size. His ability to harness that power and turn it into goals has been a slow process, but he's certainly looked a lot more dangerous this season. He scored both goals for Getafe when the teams last met, and a similar performance will be necessary this time.

Player to Watch for Real Madrid: Gonzalo Higuain

Scoring goals hasn't been a problem for Real Madrid. Los Blancos have three players with at least 10 goals, including Higuain's 14, and have regularly blown inferior opponents out. A lot of that is due to the Argentine star's ability to produce when teams are focusing on Cristiano Ronaldo.

You have to give Higuain credit for not letting an ego get in the way of a good thing. He would probably love to be starting every game, but his role changes frequently and he just keeps on producing. Team-first players like that are necessary for a team to win the league title, no matter the level.

Key Matchup: Miguel Moya vs. Iker Casillas

Six goals were scored in the first game between these two teams. Goalkeepers would tell you that simply isn't acceptable. Both guys will be looking to have much better outings in the rematch, especially since there is so much on the line for both teams at this point in the year.

While Casillas is a name even casual football fans would recognize, the same can't be said for Moya. The veteran keeper has five clean sheets in 18 league games and has played a major role in the team's success despite inconsistent contributions from the offense. He'll need to stand on his head if Getafe wants to pull off an upset.

What They're Saying

Harry Harris of ESPNsoccernet reports that Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is a contender to become the next manager of England's national team:

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Jose Mourinho will be in the running to become England manager if he quits Real Madrid in the summer, according to well-placed ESPNsoccernet sources.

The Football Association is delaying drawing up a shortlist of candidates to allow Fabio Capello to prepare for the European Championships, but it is inevitable that the next England manager will be high on the agenda as the tournament draws nearer.

"

Prediction

Real Madrid 2, Getafe 0