Messi’s Barca return to bring goals raining down against Getafe

After a routine 4-0 win over Elche in their first league game back from the winter break, Barcelona turn their attentions to Getafe in the Copa del Rey, live on Sky Sports.

That Elche dismantling was Gerardo Martinez’s sixth consecutive victory, firmly putting to bed the stories of a mid-season wobble after losing consecutive matches prior to this winning run.

It’s widely expected that a seventh triumph can be linked onto the end of this daisy chain, with odds of 1/10 suggesting that Barcelona will emerge from the cup tie as winners. The draw is available at 17/2, while Getafe, who are ninth in the league and have won once in their last five, are rated as 20/1 shots.

The Madrid-based side travel the Nou Camp with a history of defeats to Barcelona hanging over them. They haven’t bested the red and blue of Catalonia in 10 meetings with them and have been particularly dragged over the coals in the battle’s recent renditions.

In the past four matches between the two sides the aggregate scoreline reads an eye-watering 19-4 in Barcelona’s favour and there’s plenty to suggest another mauling is on the cards.

In the Blaugrana’s current winning run, they have only failed to score more than two goals on one occasion making a game that contains over 4.5 goals at 27/20 extremely appealing.

In addition, Martinez is able to call on Lionel Messi’s services for the first time since his injury against Real Betis seven games ago.

The Argentine will be keen to remind everyone what they’ve been missing during his time in the physio’s room, especially with the Balon d’Or on the horizon, and Getafe will be powerless to stop him.

Messi, who is 2/1 to bag first, has scored in eight Barcelona matches so far this term, with only two of those games containing less than four goals.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.