Real Sociedad will be looking to continue their excellent start to the 2020-21 campaign when they travel to fellow high-flying Cadiz on Sunday afternoon.
A total of 20 points from nine matches has left Sociedad top of La Liga, while Cadiz have also performed above expectations this season and currently occupy sixth position in Spain's top flight.
Match preview
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Many predicted Cadiz to struggle this season, with the Yellow Submarine operating in Spain's top flight for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign, when they were relegated in 19th position.
A second-place finish in last season's Segunda Division allowed them to return to this level, and Alvaro Cervera's side have given an excellent account of themselves in the early months of the campaign.
Indeed, a record of four wins, two draws and three defeats from nine matches has seen them collect 14 points, which is enough for sixth spot in the table, just two points behind fourth-placed Real Madrid.
Cadiz have picked up some eye-catching results this season, notably a 1-0 victory away to Real Madrid after the last international break, but they will enter this weekend's clash off the back of a 4-0 loss at Atletico Madrid.
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Sociedad, meanwhile, are absolutely flying in the league, winning each of their last five against Getafe, Real Betis, Huesca, Celta Vigo and Granada, scoring 16 times in the process.
The Basque outfit are the leaders in Spain's top flight, having collected 20 points from nine matches, while they have scored 20 in total and conceded just four during an impressive start to 2020-21.
Sociedad have also been in good form in the Europa League, picking up six points from their three group matches, although they did lose 1-0 at home to Napoli at the end of last month.
The White and Blues have not claimed a top-four spot in La Liga since the 2012-13 campaign but will certainly have their eyes on a potential return to the Champions League next season.
Imanol Alguacil's side are actually on a run of four straight away wins in all competitions, while they are unbeaten in their last six La Liga matches on their travels.
Cadiz La Liga form: WDWDWL
Real Sociedad La Liga form: LWWWWW
Real Sociedad form (all competitions): WWLWWW
Team News
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Cadiz will be unable to call upon key forward Anthony Lozano this weekend as the 27-year-old is currently self-isolating following a positive coronavirus test.
The home side also have concerns over the availability of Jose Mari and Nano, while Juan Cala, Salvi Sanchez, Alvaro Negredo and Augusto Fernandez will face late fitness tests for the promoted club.
Negredo, who has scored twice in the league this term, is allegedly winning his race to overcome a muscular problem in time for the contest, while Sanchez and Fernandez will also hope to be involved.
As for Sociedad, Asier Illarramendi and Luca Sangalli remain on the treatment table, while Robin Le Normand is suspended due to the red card that he picked up against Granada last time out.
Igor Zubeldia could therefore be handed a spot in the middle of the defence, while Portu is pushing to join Willian Jose and Mikel Oyarzabal in the final third of the field.
David Silva has been in excellent form for the Basque outfit since arriving from Manchester City over the summer, and the Spaniard should again feature in the middle of the park.
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Akapo, Cala, Fali, Espino; Garrido, Fernandez, Jonsson; Izqueirdo, Negredo, Sanchez
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Zaldua, Elustondo, Zubeldia, Monreal; Merino, Zubimendi, D Silva; Portu, Willian Jose, Oyarzabal
We say: Cadiz 1-2 Real Sociedad
Cadiz will be determined to bounce back from their heavy defeat to Atletico before the international break, but it is difficult to look past Sociedad due to their excellent run of form; we are expecting a relatively tight match but still expect the visitors to pick up another three points.
Top betting tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Real Sociedad win with a probability of 54.53%. A draw had a probability of 25.2% and a win for Cadiz had a probability of 20.23%.
The most likely scoreline for a Real Sociedad win was 0-1 with a probability of 13.86%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (10.96%) and 1-2 (9.35%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (11.82%), while for a Cadiz win it was 1-0 (7.48%). The actual scoreline of 0-1 was predicted with a 13.9% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted a 0-1 win for Real Sociedad in this match.
