Villarreal travelled to Getafe on Sunday looking to end a run of six games without a win in all competitions.
Both sides had half-chances in the first 45 minutes, but neither could make the breakthrough in Madrid.
Villarreal took the lead in the La Liga clash early in the second period when Ikechukwu Uche scored from the penalty spot, but Diego Castro levelled the scores after 64 minutes.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as Getafe welcome Villarreal. The home side have quietly put together a decent run of form, but Villarreal are now six games without a win in all competitions. Can the Yellow Submarine return to winning ways in Madrid?
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS:
GETAFE: Guaita; Vigaray, Alexis, Naldo, Lago; Lacen, Rodriguez; Fredy, Castro, Leon; Alvaro
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Bailly, Dorado, Jokic; Moi, Pina, Manu, Rukavina; Uche, Gerard
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Getafe XI, with leading scorer Alvaro Vasquez once again selected as the lone frontman. There is also a start for the lively Fredy Hinestroza, but on-loan Atletico Madrid defender Emiliano Velazquez is only on the bench, as is Spanish attacker Pablo Sarabia.
Villarreal boss Marcelino, meanwhile, has rung the changes following the 3-0 loss to Espanyol during the week. Bojan Jokic, Eric Bailly, Chechu Dorado, Moi Gomez, Antonio Rukavina, Ikechukwu Uche and Gerard Moreno all come in, with the likes of Jonathan dos Santos, Giovani dos Santos and Joel Campbell dropping to the bench. Leading scorer Luciano Vietto, meanwhile, misses out through injury.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Villarreal have won four of the last five matches, with Getafe also winning once during that run of fixtures. The two teams have already met three times this season and Villarreal have triumphed in each game. The reverse league match ended in a 2-1 home win, before the Yellow Submarine recorded two 1-0 victories in the Copa del Rey.
It has been a mixed season for Getafe, but back-to-back wins over Deportivo La Coruna and Elche have moved the capital outfit into 13th position in the table and now eight points clear of the relegation zone. They have won six of their 15 home league games this season, but only scored 13 home goals, which is one of the lowest totals in the division. They are not quite safe in terms of relegation.
On the road, meanwhile, they have won four of their 15 matches – losing nine times in the process. In truth, it would take some collapse at this stage of the season for the capital outfit to be relegated, but they will be keen to improve on last season's 14th-place finish. As it stands, they are actually only three points from 10th-place Espanyol. A top-half finish would be seen as a major success this season.
Villarreal, meanwhile, on a really poor run of form. The Yellow Submarine have not won any of their last six games in all competitions, with that run of form seeing them exit the Europa League and drop off the pace in the race for fourth position. Marcelino's side are still sixth in the table, but now 12 points behind fourth-place Valencia, and indeed also 12 behind fifth-place Sevilla, who are in fine form.
Villarreal did manage to claim a point at Valencia last Sunday, but they were beaten 3-0 at home by Espanyol on Thursday evening. That defeat was their fifth at home in the league this season, but they have actually only lost three of their 15 away league matches. In fact, only Barcelona have suffered fewer away league defeats than Villarreal thus far this season. Will that impressive run continue here?
PREDICTION! I think that this game has got draw written all over it. Earlier in the season, I would have made Villarreal strong favourites here, but the Yellow Submarine just aren't playing well at the moment, while Getafe have put together a decent run of results. Prediction: Getafe 1-1 Villarreal.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not a great turn-out inside the stadium, but let's hope for an entertaining game. The hosts get the action underway here.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital this afternoon. Villarreal's confidence is fragile at the moment, but they have made a decent start in possession here.
CHANCE! Getafe force a free kick in a decent position as Leon is brought to the ground by Jokic. The resulting set piece is arrowed towards the top corner by Leon, but his effort just misses the target!
Villarreal have had more of the ball in the opening five minutes, but Getafe are more threatening when they break into the final third. Uche strikes one from outside the home side's box, but it is a fairly comfortable save for Guaita, who palms behind for a corner. Decent game of football at the moment.
CHANCE! Uche finds space inside the Getafe box before meeting a corner from Trigueros, but the striker's header is wide of the post. The Nigerian will feel that he should have done a lot better!
Both teams have had bits and pieces in the opening eight minutes, but the score is still goalless. There is not too much to play for here, but both will be keen to put more points on the board at this stage.
Fredy drives down the left for the home side before attempting to deliver towards Alvaro, but Asenjo is on hand to collect. Villarreal attempt to break with Moi, but he cannot slide a pass into Moreno.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to take the lead as Castro drives into the Villarreal box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but Bailly is on hand to make a super block.
Fredy's pace again takes him away from the Villarreal defence, but the attacker's cross is disappointing and the away side survive what was a dangerous moment. Alvaro meets a long throw moments later, but the striker can only poke his effort wide of the post. This is a really good game in Madrid.
Getafe skipper Leon has started this game extremely well and the Spaniard again threatens after dropping his shoulder outside the Villarreal box, but his powerful strike is blocked by Dorado.
Neither team is really in control of the possession at the moment as both continue to enjoy spells in the final third. The score is still goalless, but there have been plenty of opportunities thus far in Madrid.
Alvaro looks in pain for Getafe as he holds his shoulder and wrist following a collision.
Alvaro almost threw his arm into Bailly, but then immediately pulled up holding his shoulder. It appears that the Spaniard will be fit to continue, which did not initially look the case. Still goalless here.
Fredy's pace is causing Villarreal all sorts of problems in a wide area and the Colombian wins another corner after facing up to Mario. It has been a good spell of pressure for Getafe here.
The referee is letting the game flow at the moment rather than blow for every challenge, which is creating an end-to-end feel. Again Fredy is down the left for Getafe, but Rukavina is across to tackle.
Getafe force a free kick down the left following good work from Leon, but the resulting free kick from the home side's captain is disappointing. Still goalless with 26 minutes on the clock in the capital.
BOOKING! Trigueros (Villarreal) is booked for bringing Lacen to the ground.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of minutes, with a host of late tackles slowing the tempo. It is also some time since we had a clear opportunity in this one.
Half-chance for Villarreal as Trigueros shows excellent feet inside the Getafe box before squaring towards Moreno, but Alexis is on hand to make a super challenge at the vital moment. Moments later, Uche slides a low pass into Moreno, but Naldo just manages to clear before the striker can shoot.
Lago combines with Fredy down the left for the home side, but the former is penalised for a foul on Bailly and Villarreal can settle in possession once again. Still goalless with 34 minutes on the clock.
Villarreal pass and probe outside the Getafe box before the ball is worked wide, but once again it breaks down at the final moment and the home side clear down-field. Alvaro comes close to meeting a cross from Leon inside the Villarreal box, but Mario is on hand to make an important clearance.
Good spell of pressure from the home side as they force two corners in quick succession, but Villarrreal manage to clear on both occasions. Castro then delivers towards Alvaro, but Asenjo claims.
BOOKING! Bailly (Villarreal) is booked for a strong challenge on Alvaro.
Getafe are firmly on the front foot at the moment as they continue to threaten in wide position, but the Villarreal defence, Mario and Bailly in particular, have headed everything away thus far in Madrid.
CLOSE! Moreno shows wonderful feet outside the Getafe box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but his effort just misses the post. That was excellent from the Spaniard!
I should not think that there will be too much added time at the end of this first period.
Again it is excellent defending from Bailly as the Villarreal centre-back clears a low cross from Lago as the home side end the first period on the front foot. Leon delivers the resulting corner onto the head of Naldo, but his effort is wide of the post. Villarreal left the Brazilian all alone inside the penalty area.
HALF-TIME: Getafe 0-0 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Both have had opportunities to make the breakthrough, but neither has been able to find the back of the net. It has been an entertaining clash thus far on this warm early afternoon in the Spanish capital.
STATS! Getafe have just shaded the possession with 51%, while they have had five attempts, but thus far failed to hit the target. Villarreal, meanwhile, have hit the target with one of their four attempts. The referee has also issued two yellow cards, both of which have been awarded to the visitors.
BENCH WATCH! Getafe boss Franco has a couple of attacking options on his bench this afternoon, with both Pablo Sarabia and Baba Diawara capable of making a difference. Villarreal, meanwhile, have the likes of Joel Campbell, Denis Cheryshev, Jonathan dos Santos and Giovani dos Santos in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a breakthrough in the Spanish capital? Let's hope so! The visitors get the second half underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too surprising at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 15 minutes or so.
Half-chance for Villarreal as Trigueros delivers a dangerous cross towards Uche, which Guaita can only palm into the box, but it falls for a blue shirt and the danger is cleared. End-to-end start to the second period here, with both teams threatening in the final third. We are still missing a goal though!
PENALTY VILLARREAL!
Villarreal are awarded a penalty as Uche goes down inside the box under a challenge from Lacen. It was very clumsy from the midfielder and probably just about the correct decision from the referee.
GOAL! Getafe 0-1 Villarreal (Uche, pen)
Uche makes no mistake from the spot as he hammers his effort into the top corner!
It is a little harsh on Getafe, but it was a poor challenge from Lacen and it has cost them a goal. Villarreal have not won in their last six in all competitions, but they are now in a good position here.
CHANCE! Uche comes close to scoring his second of the match as he races into the box before firing one towards the bottom corner, but Guaita just does enough to make the save. Excellent goalkeeping!
Fredy remains a threat for Getafe down the left, but the midfielder has lacked an end product for the home side this afternoon that is again the case. Still more than 30 minutes of football to play.
BOOKING! Rukavina (Villarreal) is booked for a late challenge on Lacen.
SUB! Villarreal make their first change as Bailly is replaced by Musacchio.
It has been a decent response from the home side in the last couple of minutes, but they are struggling to create clear chances in this second period. It is very delicately poised with 61 minutes played.
BOOKING! Rodriguez (Getafe) is booked for a late challenge on Uche.
SUB! Getafe make their first change of the match as Sarabia replaces Fredy.
SUB! Villarreal make their second change as Giovani replaces Uche.
The flow of the match has just been interrupted in the last couple of minutes following a host of changes and yellow cards. Little over 25 minutes remaining and Villarreal still lead 1-0 here.
GOAL! Getafe 1-1 Villarreal (Castro)
All square here! Getafe level with 64 minutes on the clock as Castro heads a super Lago cross into the back of the net. Simple goal, but very effective indeed. Poor marking from Villarreal there.
CHANCE! Another super chance for the home side as Vigaray flashes a cross towards Alvaro, but the striker cannot make contact. Any touch would have taken that flying past Asenjo!
The end-to-end period of the match continues as Giovani curls one towards the bottom corner, but Guaita is across to make a really smart save. Villarreal will still fancy claiming all the points here.
SUB! Villarreal make their second change as Cheryshev replaces Moi Gomez.
SAVE! Oh my word it is all happening at the moment! Another super chance for the home side as Alvaro slides in Castro, but his curling effort is saved by Asenjo, before Leon fires high and wide.
Not too much happened for long spells of the first period, but the second half has been very eventful here. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this game as the tempo rises.
BOOKING! Giovani (Villarreal) is booked for a late challenge on Lacen.
Villarreal have just started to force the issue in the final third, with Giovani causing problems. The Mexican slides a pass into Moreno, but Alexis is across to clear at the vital moment. Both managers are on the touchline at the moment and you get the feeling that both feel that there is a winner in this.
Half-chance for the home side as Leon takes the ball away from Trigueros before finding Castro, but the midfielder's touch is just too strong and the opportunity is gone. Still 1-1 in Madrid here.
Villarreal have a problem here as Musacchio hits the deck and stays there. The stretcher is on.
It does not look great for the centre-back, whose ankle seemed to turn under him. It is a horror moment and that could be the end of his season. Terrible scenes here it must be said.
BOOKING! Costa (Villarreal) is not on the field, but he has been booked for dissent.
Half-chance for the away side as Cheryshev races into the Getafe box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Villarreal will have to play the final 10 minutes of this match with 10 men.
Getafe, with their man advantage, are really pressing at the moment, but Villarreal remain a threat on the counter with Cheryshev's pace a good option. Still 1-1 with 82 minutes on the clock here.
SUB! Getafe make their second change as Castro is replaced by Emi.
Little over five minutes of football remaining and it appears that the points will be shared in Madrid. Villarreal play on with 10 men here having lost Musacchio after making all three changes, but Getafe are finding it difficult to force the issue at the moment. Is there to be late drama in the capital?
BOOKING! Naldo (Getafe) is booked for dissent.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Alvaro races down the right before delivering towards the head of Emi, but the cross is just too high and Villarreal manage to clear.
Giovani races through on goal for Villarreal, but the Mexican's effort hits the side netting.
SUB! Getafe make their third change as Baba replaces Alvaro.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes in the capital.
Getafe force the issue with a couple of corners in quick succession and the second presents a half-chance to Rodriguez, but the Spaniard slices his effort wide of the post. Good opportunity.
I predicted 1-1 before the match and it has very much been a 1-1 game. In truth, neither team has really done enough to deserve all the points. Not long left in this one as we approach full-time.
FULL-TIME: Getafe 1-1 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the points being shared in a 1-1 draw. It is now seven games without a win in all competitions for Villarreal, while Getafe are now nine points clear of the drop zone. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
