Getafe will start the Copa del Rey season away to sixth division outfit Manises at Campo Vicente Martinez Catala on Thursday. La Liga side seeking to get back to winning ways after drawing last three matches 1-1.
Match Preview
Manises, winners in the first round 3-1 against Dolores in the preliminary round, scored through Champi, Marc Cantero and Javi Trilles and then followed up by beating Quart de Poblet 2-1 and a goalless draw with Requena keeps them 10th in the C Valenciana – Nord league with 10 points from six games. Manises now face a tough test but will want to use their unbeaten run of four home games to good effect- W1, D3.
On the other side, Getafe are positioned 15th in La Liga with 10 points from 11 matches, have managed to pick up an unbeaten run of four games, comprising three consecutive draws. In their last game, Mauro Arambarri’s 90th-minute penalty earned them a 1-1 draw against Valencia. With relegation matters shaping up, Getafe will want to focus on avoiding a first-round Copa del Rey upset, which has been their fate for the last time in the 1999-2000 season.
Team News
Manises will have Adrian Munoz in goal, who will be shielded by the central defenders Iker Peiro and Imanol Alberdi. Guillem Baixauli will lead the attack, while Alejandro Pastor, Marc Cantero and Javi Trilles provide the midfield support.
The probable goalkeeper for Getafe is Jiri Letacek. Players that can start in defence are Allan Nyom, Nabil Aberdin, Juan Berrocal and David Arguelles. Some of the midfield starters are Peter Federico, Carles Alena, Yellu Santiago and Christantus Uche. Forward Borja Mayoral should still be doubtful with a muscle injury that has kept him out of the last two games.
Predicted Line-ups
Manises: Munoz; Cortes, Peiro, Alberdi, Penades; Champi, Gonzalez; Pastor, Cantero, Trilles; Baixauli
Getafe: Letacek; Nyom, Aberdin, Berrocal, Arguelles; Peter, Alena, Santiago, Sola; Uche, Rodriguez
Prediction
Manises 1-3 Getafe
While Getafe are not exactly known for high-scoring games, their La Liga experience should see them through with a comfortable win against sixth-tier Manises into the next round.
