Getafe vs Real Betis preview - Betis deserve lofty position - Mel

Posted Monday, September 26, 2011 by PA

Real Betis coach Pepe Mel has dismissed the idea his side are in a false position in the Primera Division.

Betis head to Getafe on Monday ahead of the mighty Barcelona and Real Madrid after winning each of their first four matches.

"That we have 12 points isn't deceptive," Mel said. "Nobody handed them to us, we have won them because of our attitude."

However, Mel admitted he would have to make changes to the side that played in Thursday's enthralling 4-3 win over Real Zaragoza.

"There will certainly be a degree of rotation because a number of the players finished that game with nothing left to give," he said.

"When we chose the side for the Zaragoza game we also had in mind the Getafe match."

One of those who Mel could leave out is Roque Santa Cruz.

The Paraguayan scored his first two goals for the club against Zaragoza but has missed training in the past two days and with Ruben Castro fit again he is likely to be given the nod up front.

Getafe's start to the season has been in stark contrast to Betis as Luis Garcia's men have picked up only one point from their four games but the manager hopes his side are due a change in fortunes.

"A lot of strange things have happened in the four matches so far: last minute goals, lots of injuries," he said. "I hope these things change on Monday, we need and deserve a win.

"It is our most difficult match so far because we are playing the leaders and they are doing things excellently right now, but I hope the crowd get behind us and that can lift us to our first win."

Garcia will be able to recall on-loan Real Madrid winger Pedro Leon who missed the 1-0 defeat to Espanyol on Thursday evening, whilst Dani Guiza and Miku are likely to be paired in attack for only the second time this season.