Real Sociedad will round off a highly successful year when they travel to the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla for Thursday's La Liga clash with Cadiz.
While the visitors are sitting in the European places, Cadiz are languishing in 16th place and just one point clear of the drop zone.
Match preview
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Having gone over three months without a La Liga victory, Cadiz will be desperate to end their eight-game winless league run in their final match of 2023.
While they are searching for their first top-flight win since beating Villarreal on September 1, the Andalusian side have at least made themselves tough to beat in recent weeks, having played out four consecutive 1-1 draws.
After giving up leads in the first three of those four games, it was Cadiz's turn to come from behind in Sunday's trip to Gran Canaria, where Chris Ramos equalised in the 83rd minute to deny Las Palmas all three points.
Following their trip to the Canary Islands, Sergio Gonzalez's side will be pleased to return to home comforts, especially as 10 of their 14 points have come from their matches at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla.
Having failed to win any of their last 12 head-to-head meetings (D4, L8), Cadiz go into Thursday's contest with hopes of beating Real Sociedad for the first time since recording a narrow 2-1 victory in April 1993.
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After learning that Paris Saint-Germain will be their last-16 opponents in the Champions League knockout rounds, Real Sociedad will now turn their focus to their final outing of 2023 as they look to close the five-point gap to the top four.
La Real have showcased their defensive qualities in recent weeks, having recorded four consecutive clean sheets in all competitions – a run that began with away victories over Andratx and Villarreal in the Copa del Rey and league respectively.
Imanol Alguacil's side went on to hold Inter Milan in their final Champions League group game, before they played out another goalless draw in Sunday's home La Liga fixture against fellow top-seven side Real Betis.
A strong backline has ultimately helped Real Sociedad avoid defeat in their last nine competitive matches (W5, D5), including their previous five league games.
They will fancy their chances of extending that run with a victory in Thursday's contest after winning their last four away meetings with Cadiz by a combined 7-1 scoreline.
Team News
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Cadiz have suffered a significant injury blow ahead of Thursday's contest after it was confirmed that Roger Marti sustained a fracture of the fibula and ankle ligament damage in Sunday's draw against Las Palmas.
With Roger set for an extended period in the treatment room, he joins an absentee list that features David Gil, Gonzalo Escalante and Luis Hernandez.
In more positive news, Romingue Kouame returned from a spell on the sidelines to appear as a substitute at the weekend, and he could be given more valuable minutes off the bench in Cadiz's final match of 2023.
As for the visitors, Brais Mendez and Ander Barrenetxea remain sidelined with arm and ankle problems, while midfielder Martin Merquelanz is ruled out due to a knee injury.
With Kieran Tierney and Aihen Munoz sharing the left-back spot in recent games, it should be the latter's turn to feature in a back four alongside Robin Le Normand, Igor Zubeldia and Hamari Traore.
After dropping down to the bench at the weekend, Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq could come back into the side to lead the line in Thursday's away fixture.
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Carcelen, Fali, Chust, Pires; Alejo, Alcaraz, Fernandez, Sobrino; Ramos, Gomez
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; Merino, Zubimendi, Zakharyan; Kubo, Oyarzabal, Sadiq
We say: Cadiz 1-2 Real Sociedad
Having drawn their last four matches, Cadiz have proven to be a tough team to beat in recent weeks, but we think that they will fall just short against a Real Sociedad side that has won their previous four away games against the Andalusian club.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
