Elche vs Getafe preview - Getafe keen to secure safety

Posted Wednesday, April 08, 2015 by PA

Revitalised Getafe travel to the Martinez Valero stadium to face Elche on Thursday looking to take a step closer towards retaining their Primera Division status.

Ahead of the encounter in Elche, Getafe have 32 points as the season enters its final nine weeks.

The Madrid outfit bounced back from defeats to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid with a 2-1 triumph over Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday.

The result, Getafe's ninth win of the campaign, lifted them to 13th place, seven points clear of the drop zone.

"The win over Deportivo was very important," Getafe defender Emiliano Velazquez said to his club's official website. "But we have to keep growing.

"We need to take things one step at a time in order to achieve our aim as soon as possible.

"We know we cannot relax as we have not achieved anything yet."

Getafe have won just three games on the road and Pablo Franco's men face a stern test against an Elche side who are four points behind them in 16th place.

Elche are desperate to extend their three-point advantage above the drop zone with a victory.

The Valencian region outfit held Espanyol to a 1-1 draw in Barcelona on Monday to halt a two-match losing streak.

Elche have won just one of their last six league games and coach Fran Escriba said: "We need to be very focused because the slightest mistake can make you lose games.

"Getafe are a quality side and I see a very level game.

"This game is very important for us. We took an important point at Espanyol but we need to keep getting points against a direct rival.

"We will need the support of our fans. If we win tomorrow, we will be close to our aim."

Spanish striker Christian Herrera, who came off the bench to score his first goal this season on Monday, could start against Getafe.

Getafe are without injured defender Juan Valera.