Preview: Getafe vs. Coventry City – prediction, team news, lineups

Friday evening will see La Liga pitted against the English Championship as Getafe and Coventry City lock horns in a pre-season friendly at Oliva Nova Sport Center in Valencia.

The Sky Blues will conclude their week-long training camp in Spain with a tough test against the Azulones, who have established themselves as a top-flight club once again in recent times.

Match preview

Since their promotion to the top table of Spanish football after winning the playoffs in 2017, Getafe have become part of the furniture in La Liga, with Friday’s “hosts” enjoying a 12th-placed finish during the 2023-24 term following three consecutive placements of 15th between 2021 and 2023.

For those more accustomed to watching the English game, the arrival of Manchester United loanee and former England international Mason Greenwood at Estadio Coliseum was the biggest talking point for the Azulones last term, with the 22-year-old bagging eight goals and six assists in 33 La Liga appearances.

Although Greenwood stole most of the limelight, Borja Mayoral was Getafe’s leading marksman by some stretch during the 2023-24 campaign, netting 17 goals across all competitions, with the former Real Madrid man equalling his impressive tally of strikes for Italian giants Roma during the 2020-21 season.

Returning after a mixed 13-month spell at La Liga rivals Valencia, Pepe Bordalas is back in the managerial hotseat for the Azulones, for whom he managed on the first instance between September 2016 and May 2021, guiding his troops to promotion from La Liga 2 at the first attempt.

The Spaniards have moved decisively in the opening half of the summer window to re-sign a loanee from last season, with former Bournemouth man Diego Rico joining on a free transfer after providing a commendable total of seven assists from left-back during 2023-24.

Team News

Owing to a knee injury sustained at the beginning of March, Getafe’s leading goalscorer Mayoral will be unavailable for selection on Friday night.

Supporters of the Azulones could see a host of new signings in action for the first time in Valencia, including winger Alex Sola and goalkeeper Jiri Letacek.

Following his spell at this summer’s Copa America with the United States, Haji Wright has linked up with Coventry in Spain this week, although the 26-year-old might be rested for this match.

The Sky Blues will be delighted to have Tatsuhiro Sakamoto back in contention for game time after the 27-year-old attacker suffered a season-ending injury in February.

With the start of competitive action still over three weeks away, Robins is expected to hand a host of youngsters minutes on Friday night, so Coventry fans should expect to see the likes of Kai Andrews and Bradley Stretton on the pitch.

Getafe possible starting lineup:
Soria; Djene, Aberdin, Alderete, Alvarez; Milla, Alena, Risco, Martin, Santiago; Jorge

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Van Ewijk, Thomas, Binks, Bidwell; Sheaf, Andrews, Allen; Sakamoto, Simms, Mason-Clark

We say: Getafe 1-1 Coventry City

Having already played a friendly this month, Coventry should be sharper than their Spanish opponents, giving the Sky Blues an advantage for this behind-closed-doors clash.

Getafe are missing their main striker and are likely to field an XI containing academy players, so we cannot imagine the Spaniards collecting a win.