Cadiz will play host to Villarreal on Sunday in a clash of major importance at both ends of the La Liga table.
The hosts have improved their chances of survival in recent weeks, despite remaining in the relegation zone, while the Yellow Submarine sit seventh, just two points outside of the top six.
Match preview
With 15 points from their opening 21 league outings, Cadiz sat in a particularly poor position in their bid to avoid the drop and survive for a second consecutive La Liga season.
Los Piratas have, at least, given their chances a boost recently though, earning nine points from the last seven matches, firstly beating basement side Levante 2-0 before suffering a defeat to Mallorca and playing out consecutive draws with Celta Vigo, Getafe and Granada.
Sergio Gonzalez's side were then able to add a fourth league victory of the season, beating Rayo Vallecano 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Ruben Alcaraz and Oussama Idrissi.
While they now come into the weekend on the back of a 2-1 away defeat to Atletico Madrid, after a valiant effort in which Alvaro Negredo drew them level before Rodrigo De Paul's winner, Cadiz have certainly rallied and improved their chances recently.
Los Piratas have climbed to 18th place, and, sitting just one point adrift and two points behind 16th place, they will look to make a return to winning ways to climb out of the drop zone heading into the final run of the campaign.
They take on a Villarreal side who arrive in high spirits after an important league win and a Champions League triumph.
Unai Emery's side had to endure a slow start to the campaign, but they have since risen into contention for continental qualification, giving their hopes of a top-six finish a boost in recent weeks with three wins from their last four top-flight outings.
Between thrashings of Granada and Espanyol, the Yellow Submarine played out a 1-1 draw with Juventus in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie, before bouncing back from a defeat to Osasuna by beating Villarreal 1-0 in their most recent league game thanks to Dani Parejo's goal.
Emery's men then made the trip to Italy for the second leg against the Turin outfit on Wednesday, and, despite the game remaining goalless for the opening 75 minutes, they eventually came out with a rampant 3-0 victory on the night with Gerard Moreno converting a penalty before Pau Torres and Arnaut Danjuma sealed their progression.
Now on a high from their first advancement to the Champions League quarter-finals since 2009, and sitting just two points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, Villarreal will look to further boost their claim with a third win on the bounce at the weekend.
- L
- D
- D
- D
- W
- L
- W
- D
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- D
- W
- L
- W
- W
Team News
Cadiz will likely remain without several key players due to injuries, with Florin Andone, Tomas Alarcon, Salvi Sanchez and Ivan Alejo set to continue spells on the sidelines.
Experienced forward Alvaro Negredo should again lead the line after the former Manchester City man found the net against Atletico Madrid last time out, taking his tally to six league goals for the season.
Villarreal's injury issues have quickly reduced, as Raul Albiol, Juan Foyth, Etienne Capoue and Gerard Moreno were all fit to make the squad for Thursday's Juventus clash, with the latter netting the decisive goal, leaving Alberto Moreno as the only man on the sidelines.
Moreno will likely feature from the outset in attack alongside Arnaut Danjuma, who has contributed 13 goals and four assists across La Liga and Champions League action this season.
Emery has developed a well-drilled defensive line, and Raul Albiol and Pau Torres should again partner up at the heart of a back four with Serge Aurier and Pervis Estupinan operating as full-backs.
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Akapo, Hernandez, Chust, Espino; Sobrino, Fede, Alcaraz, Idrissi; Negredo, Lozano
Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Aurier, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan; Chukwueze, Parejo, Lo Celso, Trigueros; Danjuma, Moreno
We say: Cadiz 0-1 Villarreal
Cadiz have certainly improved recently and will pose a tough test for the visitors, but we see the Yellow Submarine being too strong at the weekend.
Emery's side will be full of confidence, and, with momentum on their side, they will expect to return home with all three points.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
