Peeep peeep peeeep! 3-0 it finishes!

The scoreline might suggest Real Madrid enjoyed a comfortable afternoon at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez, but nothing could be further from the truth.

They were made to fight very hard by a Getafe side who certainly created enough chances to trouble the scorers, but came up against an in-form Thibaut Courtois between the Madrid sticks.

At the other end, Madrid's greater ruthlessness in front of goal - plus David Soria's less-than-stellar keeping for the opener - ensured they came away with three exceedingly hard-fought points, and go provisionally top of LaLiga.

Barcelona can reclaim first place when they take on city rivals Espanyol at 21:00 CET, and you can follow live coverage of that match right here on AS English.

Thanks for reading!

Suárez hoofs a speculative effort in to Row Z. Barring a staggering late turnaround, Madrid are heading provisionally top of LaLiga, with hitherto leaders Barcelona playing Espanyol in the Catalan derby at 21:00 CET tonight.

Now Bale should score, but also fails to! Valverde slips the forward in behind the defence with a perfectly-weighted little ball, but the Welshman takes too long to make his mind up and, when he finally shoots, Soria saves!

It comes right back to Bale, who twists and turns before firing towards goal again, but it's blocked once more.

Six minutes of time added on at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez.

Vinicius has a gilt-edged opportunity to add a third for Madrid, but - as is so often the case with the Brazilian - gets his finish wrong! Released into acres of space in the Getafe box, his first touch his heavy and his second touch is into the side-netting!

Cucurella crosses from the left, but Maksimovic's header comes off his shoulder and flies out towards the opposite flank. Molina then delivers from the right, but it's right down Courtois' gullet. And up the other end...

Arambarri's cute backheel releases Ángel into shooting space on the edge of the box, but Varane is perfectly placed to block the striker's shot. Getafe haven't lacked the chances to score this afternoon, it's fair to say. 

Jovic's first contribution is to get himself booked for late challenge on Suárez after his first touch lets him down.

Both sides make their third and final changes. Luka Jovic is on for Karim Benzema for Real Madrid, while the hosts withdraw Allan Nyom and bring on Amath NDiaye.

Real Madrid turn a Getafe corner into a quick break, but Benzema's through ball for Carvajal somewhat overestimates how quick the right-back is, and though he battles gamely to get there first, Soria is out to hoof it clear.

If indeed he does get given the first goal, this will be Raphaël Varane's second career brace and will bring him alongside Sergio Ramos as Real Madrid's second-highest scorer in LaLiga this term, with three.

Ángel squeezes a low ball along the byline and to Mata at the near post, but Courtois makes himself big and repels the striker's attempt to force it past him.

Real Madrid are 15 minutes away from three very, very hard-fought points.

Modric swings over a corner that Getafe clear only as far as Carvajal, but the right-back's long-range volley doesn't have a lot behind it and is easy for Soria.

Vinicius tries to exchange passes with Benzema and advance into the penalty area, but Djené holds him off and shepherds the ball out of play. He's an utter rock, that lad.

On come Vinicius and Valverde, who replace Kroos and Isco.

Vinicius Júnior and Federico Valverde are preparing to come on for Real Madrid. That double change was briefly thrown into doubt after Nacho was sent out to warm up with Mendy struggling, but the Frenchman looks like he'll be OK.

Bale has a great chance to score Real Madrid's third, but doesn't get enough on his chip! Militao pings a long ball from the back over the Getafe defence and into the Welshman's run. Bale's first touch is perfect, but he just underhits his dink over the onrushing Soria, who grabs hold.

Now Cabrera heads wide for Getafe, before Suárez and Modric get embroiled in an off-the-ball agreement. I must confess I don't really know what that was about.

Again Molina is involved. Ángel skips in from the left and plays it to his striking colleague, who has his back to goal. Instead of returning the ball to Ángel, Molina turns into trouble and is robbed by Militao.

Molina is straight into the action, but his lay-off with back to goal can't find Arambarri, who was arriving in the box at pace.

Moments later, Cucurella's through ball into the box is just too long for Molina.

On comes Molina, with Fajr making way for the striker. All three of Getafe's big guns - Mata, Molina and Ángel - are on now.

Isco slips the ball forward for Kroos to run at Djené down the left, and the German - who isn't exactly the quickest - uses all his nous to buy a free-kick off the defender.

He delivers towards the back post, but Djené nods it behind for a corner... which finally comes to nought.

Jorge Molina is going to come on for Getafe.

After an interminable wait, the goal stands!

A 2-0 lead flatters Real Madrid in the extreme... but a 2-0 lead is what they have.

Finally Real Madrid get themselves on the front foot, winning a free-kick that Toni Kroos will swing in from the right...

There are Getafe shouts for a penalty after Isco flies in on Fajr, but replays show it was a good challenge. Corner to the hosts, who work it to Cucurella to shoot from the edge of the box. His shot is blocked by Militao, who seems to use his arm to do so - but nothing is given.

It's been all Getafe so far in the second half.

Getafe get themselves in behind the Real Madrid defence again, Mata running in on Courtois from the right and forcing the goalkeeper into another fine stop - but the flag was up for offside once more.

Getafe immediately win a corner, which Varane heads clear. Back come the hosts, though, when Cabrera nods it over the Real Madrid defence, Ángel is in - but volleys over! It wouldn't have counted, though - the flag was up for offside.

Peeep! Back underway at the Coliseum. No half-time changes for either side.

Peep peep peeeep!

Real Madrid have the lead at the break, but that doesn't tell the full story of a first half in which Getafe have had a good few chances of their own. They certainly don't deserve to be behind.

Once again Courtois has to look alive to stop Getafe from scoring! Fajr delivers an inch-perfect free-kick right onto Cabrera's head, but the Real Madrid keeper is quickly across his line to parry the defender's close-range effort!

Three minutes of stoppage time, mainly because of Señor Munuera's dodgy headset.

Another look at that Varane opener suggests it could also be given as a Soria own goal. (Our colleagues at Opta have indeed recorded it as an o.g. on the scoreboard at the top of your screen.)

Again Fajr thumps a strike at goal, but Courtois saves! When Getafe send in a free-kick from the left, the loose ball falls to the Moroccan, who once more really got hold of his effort.  

That's fantastic play by Benzema, and Madrid are very nearly 2-0 up. The Frenchman somehow controls Varane's hoof up the field, before spinning in the Getafe box and firing at Soria's near post. It flies into the side-netting, though.

Suárez earns himself a yellow card for giving Munuera a little bit too much lip after a foul by Ángel on Militao.

So close from Fajr! Getafe are almost level right away. Mata lays it off for the Moroccan to thump one on goal from 25 yards out, and it fizzes just past Courtois' right-hand post!

Ángel goes down in a heap after Mendy flails an arm in the general direction of his face, but no action is taken against the left-back.

Casemiro tries to slip Benzema in between the Getafe central defenders, but they quickly close the door on the Frenchman.

Madrid come back at Getafe, and earn themselves a free-kick on the right after Bale is absolutely halfed by Nyom.

It's a deserved booking for the defender, and it's a dangerous free-kick for the visitors.

Cabrera tries a volley which, if it had gone in, would have made Marco van Basten's effort at Euro '88 look like a tap-in. It dips a couple of yards wide, though. 

Cabrera delivers a long throw-in, but Real Madrid get it clear. Back it comes to Cabrera, who swings it back into the middle - but his ball isn't a good one.

Madrid finally get themselves back on the attack, but another outside-of-the-boot Modric through ball is again dealt with by Djené.

There's a break in play as referee José Munuera sorts out a problem with his earpiece. It's quite a long break in play, in fact. This doesn't suit Getafe at all; they were just building up a head of steam.

Madrid aren't enjoying this.

Kroos gets himself in a tangle on the edge of his own box and seems to bring down Arambarri, but, with Getafe screaming for a free-kick, nothing is given.

Moments later, though, the home side do get a free-kick - and proceed to carve out the best chance of the game so far!

Arambarri is again involved. Picking up the knock-down after Suárez's ball towards the back stick, the Uruguayan chests the ball down and thumps it at goal, but Courtois beats it out!

Varane suddenly lands himself in a footrace with Ángel after a moment's inattention at the back. Ángel is quick, but so, thankfully for Real Madrid, is Varane, and the visitors survive that brief scare.

Getafe earn a promising free-kick on the left, but Real Madrid clear. With Mendy leading the charge, Los Blancos look to catch the hosts on the break, but Arambarri is back to clear the danger.

Getafe really are snapping at Real Madrid every time the visitors have the ball. There hasn't been much in the way of flowing football thus far; as you might well expect when 'Geta' are involved, it's shaping up as a ferocious battle. 

Luka Modric pings a peak-Luka-Modric outside-of-the-boot pass for Bale to run onto through the middle. If he gets there before Cabrera, he's in on David Soria - but the defender is just quick enough to deny the Welshman.

Again Suárez crosses from the right, but Ángel's first touch is heavy - to say the least - and Real Madrid clear.

Marc Cucurella went down clutching his face after tussling with Bale in the build-up, but there's no action taken against the Real Madrid forward. 

Cucurella clearly feels aggrieved about the whole thing, though, and trades a few pleasantries on the subject with Dani Carvajal.

Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy strides into a promising crossing position on the left, but can only find a blue shirt.

A few moments later, the left-back spins Suárez and again looks to deliver into the middle, but is run off it by Cabrera and Djené.

Just one defeat in nine at home in LaLiga for Getafe

Having flagged up Real Madrid's good record against Getafe pre-match, it's only fair on the hosts that I also note that they have been defeated just the once at home in LaLiga this term - and that was by champions Barcelona.

Damián Suárez plops a ball into the box that Jaime Mata can only head up into the air, and down into Thibaut Courtois' arms.

Real Madrid break, and Casemiro releases Gareth Bale into space on the right with a fine penetrative pass - but Djené is across quickly to disabuse the Welshman of any notions of making inroads into the box.

Peeeep! We are underway.

Teams out, handshakes done, coin very much tossed... It's time to go!

Munuera the man in the middle

Our match referee at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez is José Munuera.

How and where to watch Getafe vs Real Madrid...?

If you're wondering how and where to watch this afternoon's game at the Coliseum, you would be well advised to avail yourself of this guide on exactly that subject.

Busy month ahead for Real Madrid

It's going to a big month for Real Madrid. After today's game at Getafe, a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup is up next for Zidane's side, who could end up playing as many as eight matches between now and 1 February, when they face Atlético at the Bernabéu.

After Wednesday's Super Cup semi-final against Valencia, Madrid have a potential final against either Barcelona or Atlético, before LaLiga clashes with Sevilla and Real Valladolid, and a possible further two fixtures in the Copa del Rey, ahead of a league derby at the start of next month.

One Getafe Real win in just over a decade

Despite the fine campaign they're having, however, Getafe ended 2019 on a low note, losing 1-0 at Villarreal in their last league fixture of the calendar year.

And though they held Madrid to a 0-0 draw the last time the sides met at the Coliseum, they have beaten Los Blancos just once since in the past 12 years.

That victory, should you be asking, came back in August 2012, when goals by Juan Valera and Abdelaziz Barrada gave Los Azulones a 2-1 home LaLiga win over José Mourinho's newly-crowned Spanish champions.

Zidane full of praise for "10 out of 10" Getafe

Getafe, meanwhile, are again enjoying an excellent season in Primera. Having finished fifth last term, José Bordalás' overachievers began the weekend in sixth, just two points shy of Atlético in the fourth and final Champions League place.

Indeed, the wonderful job Bordalás has done at Getafe drew praise from Zidane in the Madrid coach's press conference. "10 out of 10," was his immediate response when asked to rate the season Los Azulones are having.

"They're a side who couldn't be doing more out on the pitch," added. "They're close to the Champions League places, just as they were last term. Performing the way they are and being up at the top of LaLiga isn't easy."

Real chance to go back to the top

With leaders Barcelona not in action until later tonight, Madrid have the chance to go provisionally top of LaLiga - but will have to relocate their shooting boots...

The visitors drew each of their last three games before the Christmas break, the second and third of which - against Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao - were both goalless.

Head coach Zinedine Zidane was in no mood to panic about his side's recent goal-shyness as he spoke to the media on Friday, though, telling reporters: "I don't think it's a problem. There are times when you have chances and don't take them, and that's what has happened to us in recent games.

"We have to be relaxed about it and we are. That's what's good about football: we've now got another game tomorrow to get back amongst the goals."

Valverde rested as Zidane makes four changes

Raphaël Varane returns to the Real Madrid backline and, with Sergio Ramos banned, Éder Militão keeps his place at centre-back.

Casemiro is back from suspension at the base of the midfield and replaces the rested Fede Valverde, while Isco and Gareth Bale come in for Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Júnior in attack.

No James Rodríguez, who has been training as normal for a couple of weeks now after recovering from a knee problem, but has again been left out of the squad.

Fajr and Ángel in for Getafe

There are two changes to the Getafe team that started at Villarreal in their last match before the winter break, as Fayçal Fajr replaces Francisco Portillo on the right of the hosts' midfield and former Real Madrid Castilla forward Ángel Rodríguez comes in for Jorge Molina up front.

Real Madrid team news

Starting line-up: Courtois, Carvajal, Varane, Militão, Mendy, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Isco, Bale, Benzema

Substitutes: Areola, Nacho, Valverde, Jovic, Odriozola, Vinicius, Rodrygo

Getafe team news

Starting line-up: Soria, D. Suárez, Djené, Cabrera, Nyom, Fajr, Arambarri, Maksimovic, Cucurella, Ángel, Mata

Substitutes: Chichizola, Antunes, Portillo, Amath, Etxeita, Molina, Timor

Getafe vs Real Madrid: Buenas tardes a todos

Afternoon!

Welcome to our live coverage of Real Madrid's LaLiga visit to Getafe, as Los Blancos kick off what is potentially a very, very busy New Year for them.

We're due to get underway at the Coliseum Alfonso Pérez at 16:00 CET - just under an hour from now - and the teams are in.

So, without further ado...