espanyol vs getafe is set for Saturday afternoon at the RCDE Stadium, with Espanyol still searching for their first league victory of 2026. Espanyol sit eighth in La Liga and host ninth-placed Getafe, with just two points separating the sides and both chasing ground on sixth-placed Celta Vigo. The fixture carries extra weight for Manolo Gonzalez’s team as difficult away matches at Real Betis and Barcelona follow, making this home result a focal point right now.
Table pressure and form lines ahead of Espanyol Vs Getafe
Espanyol’s early-season momentum has given way to a punishing stretch in 2026, with the club still without a top-flight win since the final game of 2025 against Athletic Bilbao. The slide has been reflected in the numbers: Espanyol have taken only four points from their last 11 matches and arrive after a 2-1 defeat to Mallorca, a result that left them in eighth.
Getafe arrive one place below them in ninth and in comparatively stronger recent form, with four wins in their last six La Liga matches. Jose Bordalas’ side last played a 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid, a match in which Getafe played almost all of the second half with 10 men, but their overall recent run has lifted them into direct contention with Espanyol in the mid-table chase.
Home and away splits underline why Saturday is being treated as a pivotal moment. Espanyol have collected 21 points from 14 home league matches this season, while Getafe have 17 points from 14 away games, a return described as the seventh-best away record in the division.
Squad news: absences, suspensions, and expected changes
Espanyol’s selection picture includes multiple key absences and questions. Javi Puado remains a long-term absentee, and Fernando Calero is listed as a doubt for the weekend. Espanyol will also be without Charles Pickel after the midfielder was sent off in the narrow defeat to Mallorca.
Pol Lozano is expected to start in midfield, likely benefiting directly from Pickel’s suspension. That change is among the most notable expected adjustments as Espanyol try to halt the winless 2026 run and stabilize their league position.
Getafe also face enforced changes. Abu Kamara, Juanmi, Borja Mayoral, and Davinchi have all been ruled out through injury. Abdel Abqar is suspended after being sent off in the second period of the match against Atletico Madrid.
Immediate reactions: Cabrera calls for a win and addresses Mallorca controversy
Espanyol captain Leandro Cabrera, speaking before the LaLiga match, said the squad’s focus is fixed on delivering a result this weekend.
“We are training hard, recovering from what happened last weekend, and have our minds set on winning this Saturday against Getafe, ” Cabrera said.
Cabrera also addressed lingering frustration from the Mallorca match, describing a contentious moment there as a major refereeing error and acknowledging the emotional impact on the group. “Honestly, the main thing you feel is powerlessness and indignation. It’s not the first time it’s happened; it’s occurred over the years, and there’s always some controversy, ” he said.
On the opponent, Cabrera emphasized Getafe’s competitiveness and resilience. “They are a team that compete a lot and do so very well. They are very tenacious, and don’t give up on any move, ” he said.
Quick context and what comes next
Getafe have lost their last two matches against Espanyol, including a 1-0 defeat in the reverse game earlier this season, and Espanyol have won five of the last seven meetings. Still, form in 2026 has tilted the urgency toward the hosts, who remain only four points off sixth even after recent setbacks.
Saturday’s result will shape the mood heading into the international break, with Cabrera framing it as a moment of accountability and reward at home: “I think it’s the perfect moment though, before we go on the international break, to give the fans a victory they deserve. ” For Espanyol, the immediate task is clear: in espanyol vs getafe, a home performance must translate into points before the schedule turns tougher.
