Getafe vs Real Madrid preview - Real Madrid look to maintain pace

Title challengers Real Madrid will attempt to put right one of last season's wrongs as they bid to keep pace with rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid this weekend.

Los Blancos were beaten 2-1 on their last derby visit to Getafe as Juan Valera and Abdelaziz Barrada struck to secure a surprise win for Los Azulones.

The odds are stacked against a repeat, however, even if Real are without star player Cristiano Ronaldo.

Getafe have not won in La Liga since November while Carlo Ancelotti's men have lost just twice in the competition all season - to Barca and Atleti.

Real defender Sergio Ramos has also spoken of his pleasure at the team's recent improvement in defence, having conceded just three times in 2014.

The Spain international told reporters: "A few months ago everyone was saying our defence was a joke and now everyone is talking about how solid we are.

"But the interests of the team come first. We have made amends, now we have a very clear idea of how we want to play."

Ronaldo sits out the trip to Coliseum Alfonso Perez as he serves the second match of a three-game suspension.

With Getafe just four points above the relegation zone, midfielder Angel Lafita concedes the task is a daunting one.

He said: "Real Madrid are the worst team we could face at the moment given the situation we find ourselves in, but we beat them last season and you never know where the points you need are going to come from.

"Of course we are excited about the game, because no-one likes losing or going so many weeks without winning.

"The fans and the team deserve a victory and we hope we can get one on Sunday."