Two teams in the La Liga relegation zone will lock horns on Friday evening, with 18th-placed Cadiz welcoming 19th-placed Granada, as both sides battle to remain in Spain's top flight.
The hosts are five points behind 17th-placed Celta Vigo, while Granada, who have a game in hand on every side in the division other than Valencia, are 13 points from safety entering the final straight.
Match preview
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Cadiz entered the international break off the back of a 2-0 defeat at Real Sociedad, but they picked up five points in their three games between February 25 and March 9, including a 2-0 home success over Atletico Madrid.
The victory over Atletico proved to be their first win in Spain's top flight since the start of September, and they are still in a position to escape the relegation zone despite their obvious struggles this term.
Cadiz boast a record of three wins, 13 draws and 13 defeats from their 29 league games this season, which has left them in 18th position in the table on 22 points, five points behind 17th-placed Celta, while they are eight points clear of Granada ahead of the relegation six-pointer.
El Submarino Amarillo are in their fourth straight season at this level of football, which is their best run since the early 1990s, and it would be some achievement if they could avoid relegation this term.
Mauricio Pellegrino's side have picked up 16 of their 22 points this season on home soil, and they have only been beaten four times in front of their own supporters in the league during the 2023-24 campaign, which is a record that should hand them confidence entering the latter stages of the season.
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Granada, meanwhile, entered the international break off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Mallorca, which left them down in 19th position in the table on 14 points.
Alexander Medina was sacked as head coach on March 19, with Jose Ramon Sandoval returning for a second spell at the helm, and the 55-year-old will be bidding to make the perfect start on Friday.
The Andalusian outfit have won two, drawn eight and lost 18 of their 28 league matches this season to collect 14 points, and they are 13 points behind 17th-placed Celta, which is an indication of the size of their task when it comes to securing another season at this level of football.
Granada secured a return to La Liga for the 2023-24 campaign courtesy of their Segunda Division title success last season, but it has been a struggle this term, and they have the worst defensive record in the division, conceding 58 times in their 28 matches.
Grana will be bidding to make it a league double over Cadiz this season, having recorded a 2-0 victory when the two teams locked horns in the reverse match back in January.
Team News
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Cadiz are expected to be without the services of Maxi Gomez for Friday's contest due to a thigh problem, while Luis Hernandez faces a late check on a knee issue.
An ankle injury will sideline Roger Marti, while Fede San Emeterio has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign due to a serious knee problem.
Chris Ramos is expected to be benefit from the absence of Gomez, who was forced off in the first half against Real Sociedad, but Robert Navarro should retain his spot in a wide area.
As for Granada, Lucas Boye and Jesus Vallejo are doubts due to muscular problems, but the away side are otherwise in strong shape, with Sergio Ruiz available again following a ban.
Ruiz will return to the middle of the Granada midfield, while Myrto Uzuni, who has scored nine league goals this season, is a certainty in the final third of the field.
Boye will join Uzuni in attack if he passes a late fitness test, while on-loan Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri is set to be named in the starting XI once again, with Kamil Jozwiak likely to play on the opposite side.
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Carcelen, Ousou, Chust, J Hernandez; Sobrino, Alcaraz, Kouame, Navarro; Ramos, Juanmi
Granada possible starting lineup:
Batalla; Mendez, Piatkowski, Miquel, Neva; Pellistri, Ruiz, Gumbau, Jozwiak; Uzuni, Boye
We say: Cadiz 2-1 Granada
There is no downplaying the importance of this contest to both sides, and we are expecting a close match on Friday. Granada have quality in the forward areas, and we are backing them to score, but it is tough to predict a clean sheet for the visitors, and Cadiz could shade this relegation six-pointer.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
