MADRID, May 9 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid entertain Getafe this Tuesday night in a vital game for the visitors to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Although Getafe defeated already relegated Almeria 2-0 on Saturday evening, the win has only slightly eased their fears of relegation and a defeat on Tuesday could see the side coached by former Madrid favorite, Michel Gonzalez slip back into the relegation zone.
They travel across town fifth from bottom of the BBVA Primera Liga, with only one point more than third from bottom Deportivo la Coruna. Michel' s side are also missing several key players, with Manu del Moral, Juan Albin and Rafa all injured, while others such as Victor Sanchez and Pedro Rios, who scored in Saturday's triumph, are suspended.
Rios and Sanchez looked as if they were trying to provoke their bookings at the weekend in order to complete the cycle of 5 yellow cards and miss a game their side has little chance of winning.
Given that there are only three games left in the season, that looks to be an error and bearing in mind that fellow strugglers, Sporting Gijon and Zaragoza have both won in Madrid in recent weeks, Getafe can't afford to throw points away.
Madrid go in to the game knowing whatever their result it will be worthless if Barcelona can draw against Levante on Wednesday night. However, Jose Mourinho's side still has its pride as they showed with the 6-2 win in Sevilla on Saturday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo's four goals in that match take him close to the all time scoring record of 38 goals in a season, which is held by former Athletic Club Bilbao striker, Thelmo Zarra, although Zarra produced his feat when there were only 30 games in a campaign.
Sergio Ramos is suspended for the game, but Mourinho will make few changes after the Sevilla win, although Gonzalo Higuain could expect some more minutes as he completes his return to top form following his back operation.
Karim Benzema will also start, but the fact that Jose Mourinho has said he will not be giving any press conferences until the question of his five match ban from UEFA has resolved, means nobody will be able to ask the coach why Benzema didn't play one minute in their Champions League exit to Barcelona.
