Real Madrid seek three points against Getafe

Madrid, Feb 15 (IANS) Real Madrid look to continue their unbeaten run in 2014 when they make a short trip to Getafe Sunday afternoon in the Spanish La Liga football.

Carlo Ancelotti' s side begin the round of matches level on points with joint leaders, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, but will probably be three points behind the pair, who both have reasonably accessible home matches Saturday against Rayo Vallecano and Valladolid respectively, reports Xinhua.

Real Madrid are unbeaten in the New Year having also made the Copa del Rey final after a surprisingly comfortable semi-final win over Atletico, 5-0 on aggregate.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties in Tuesday' s return leg, but will be suspended in Getafe as the result of the red card he was shown in Bilbao a fortnight ago.

Real Madrid have problems at left back, where Fabio Coentrao and Marcelo have both struggled physically of late, although they could be fit to travel to Getafe, but as the home coach, Luis Garcia pointed out, his side' s problems are much deeper.

Getafe face Real Madrid without a win since last November and having taken just two points from the 24 available. That run of form has seen them dragged ever closer to the battle to avoid relegation and on top of that Garcia is without key players, Lisandro Lopez, Rafael Lopez, Sergio Escudero, Pedro Mosquera, Roberto Lago and Angel Arroyo.

"They may be without Cristiano, but we beat them hands down in terms of players who are out, the player who replaces Ronaldo is someone who could be picked for the Spain team," joked Garcia in his Friday press conference.