FC Barcelona vs. Getafe
The Catalans finally return to their Spotify Camp Nou after months of wandering when they host Getafe on Sunday. After Barcelona recently had to play against Valencia in the 6,000-seat Johan Cruyff Stadium, the match marks a long-awaited new beginning in the hallowed hall. Hansi Flick’s team is in second place in the table with ten points, just two points behind Real Madrid. The recent 6-0 gala against Valencia underlined the Blaugrana’s offensive power, even though Lamine Yamal is still out with injury. Interestingly, both Raphinha and Lewandowski came off the bench and scored twice each. The visitors from the capital are in sixth place with nine points, just one point behind the Catalans. José Bordalás’ team recently showed their quality in a 2-0 win over Oviedo, with Borja Mayoral and Mario Martín striking shortly before half-time. The Azulones have never lost in their last five games against Barcelona, but have also only won once. The last meeting in January ended 1-1 in Getafe, underlining the traditionally tight record between the two teams. With 80% of the betting market backing Barcelona as clear favorites, history teaches caution against Bordalás’ defensively disciplined side.
- Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
- Date and time: 21.09.2025, 21:00
- Competition: Primera División (Matchday 5)
Barcelona Form & Record Check
FC Barcelona are in impressive form under Hansi Flick. With ten points from four league games, the club are just two points behind Real Madrid in second place in the table. The team have scored in all five of their recent games, showing remarkable goal-scoring prowess. Last weekend’s 6-0 win over Valencia underlined the Catalans’ attacking prowess. Fermín López, Raphinha, and Lewandowski shared the six goals, with the latter two coming off the bench as substitutes. This variability in attack could be a decisive factor, especially as Flick knows how to use his rotation skillfully. Barcelona also made an impressive comeback in the Champions League. Marcus Rashford shone with a brace on his debut for the Catalans in their 2-1 away win at Newcastle. The former United player seems to have already settled well into Flick’s system and brings the hoped-for flexibility to the attack. However, injury worries continue to plague the squad. Lamine Yamal is out indefinitely with a groin injury, while ter Stegen is not expected back until December. Gavi also remains a question mark. These absences are forcing Flick to come up with creative solutions, which have worked well so far.
Hansi Flick is expected to start with a 4-2-3-1 formation, a formation that Barcelona has used regularly this season. The biggest absences are in attack: Lamine Yamal is out with a groin strain, while Alejandro Balde remains sidelined with a thigh injury. Gerard Martín is likely to start at left-back, having already filled that position on several occasions. Fermín López could play an important role in the center after scoring twice against Valencia recently. Marcus Rashford has settled in well since his move from Manchester United and is likely to start in attacking midfield. Joan García will be between the posts as ter Stegen is out until December.
Getafe Form & Record Check
FC Getafe has shown a remarkably clear trend in recent weeks under José Bordalás. In sixth place in the table with nine points, the team is just behind Athletic Club, which has the same number of points. Their recent performances follow a clear pattern: in the last five games, there has not been a single draw. The 2-0 win against Oviedo six days ago underlined the Azulones’ strength at home. Luis Milla was particularly impressive, setting up both goals from Borja Mayoral and Mario Martín. The game was only decided shortly before the end, with both goals coming in the 45th minute. Getafe has currently scored in three games in a row. The away win in Seville (1-2) clearly demonstrated the tactical discipline under Bordalás. The start of the season with a 2-0 win in Vigo was also a typical Getafe performance: compact defense, efficient play up front. Only the 0-3 defeat in Valencia did not fit the picture and remains the big outlier in their current form. It is striking that all five games ended with more than 1.5 goals. This contradicts the classic Getafe image, but could indicate that Bordalás has made his team more offensive. With only two points behind Villarreal, their position in the table is quite respectable for this early stage of the season.
Coach José Bordalás is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested 5-3-2 formation, which Getafe has used several times this season. As expected, David Soria will be in goal, while the back five could consist of Kiko Femenía, Abqar, Domingos Duarte, Dakonam, and Diego Rico. The midfield will probably be made up of Mario Martín, Luis Milla, and Arambarri, with the latter acting as the creative force. In attack, Bordalás could opt for the combination of Adrián Liso and Borja Mayoral. The team has no injured or suspended regulars on the injury list, which leaves the coach with all tactical options open.
H2H Barcelona – Getafe Head-to-head & statistics
The recent encounters between these two teams paint a clear picture: Getafe has never beaten Barcelona in the last five meetings. The Catalans have two wins to their name, while three games ended in a draw. The last meeting in January 2025 ended in a 1-1 draw away in Getafe, after Barcelona had already won 1-0 at home in September 2024. Barcelona’s most convincing victory was a 4-0 home win in February 2024. Noteworthy is the series of goalless first halves: in four of the last five duels, no goals were scored before the break. These encounters seem to develop into patient chess games, with the decisions only being made after the break. Getafe has not scored at all in the second half against Barcelona, which underlines the Catalans’ defensive stability after the break. The Madrid side seem to find it particularly difficult to create chances against this opponent once Barcelona have made tactical adjustments.
The betting market sees Barcelona as clear favorites with odds of just 1.3, while our analysis comes to a different conclusion. The tip for under 1.5 goals in the first half is based on a clear pattern: Barcelona has scored only once before the break in its last five league games, while Getafe under Bordalás traditionally starts defensively and has been tied at halftime in each of its last three games. Without Lamine Yamal, who usually provides early breakthroughs, Barcelona’s offensive play is likely to develop more patiently. The odds of around 6.3 for a draw could be interesting, considering that Barcelona will be struggling for personnel and physically exhausted after their grueling trip to Newcastle. Ter Stegen is still out, Balde and Gavi are also unavailable, which could open up opportunities for Getafe. Bordalás’ team has won three of its last five league games and could seriously disrupt Barcelona’s rhythm with its physical style of play. The tip for “both teams to score” takes into account both Getafe’s recent scoring form in four of its last five games and Barcelona’s defensive uncertainties without its regular goalkeeper.
