Preview: Valencia vs. Cadiz – prediction, team news, lineups

Struggling Valencia will be looking to bounce back from successive La Liga defeats when they welcome an out-of-form Cadiz side to Mestalla on Sunday night.

Los Che have not won in the league since November 8 and are currently down in 17th position in the table, while Cadiz occupy ninth despite struggling for results in recent weeks.

Match preview

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There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a poor campaign for Valencia to date, with Javi Gracia‘s side picking up just 15 points from their 16 matches to sit down in 17th position in the table.

Los Che are actually level on points with 18th-placed Real Valladolid and could potentially enter this match in the relegation zone, which is a firm indication of their struggles.

Only Huesca (one) have won fewer La Liga matches than Valencia (three) this term, and the former Spanish champions have lost their last two fixtures at home to Sevilla and away to Granada.

Valencia are now winless in their last seven in Spain’s top flight, although they did pick up a point at Barcelona on December 19, and there is no question that Gracia has a talented squad at his disposal.

Los Che ran out 4-0 winners over Cadiz when the two teams last locked horns in the Copa del Rey back in December 2011, while they have been victorious in three of the four La Liga matches between the sides.

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Cadiz, meanwhile, have impressed on their return to this level of football, winning five, drawing four and losing seven of their 16 matches to collect 19 points, which has left them in ninth position in the table.

All things considered, it has been a brilliant opening few months to the season for the club, but they are only four points clear of the relegation zone and will not enter this match in the best of form.

Not since a 2-1 success at home to Barca on December 5 have Cadiz triumphed in the league, losing three of their last four, including a heavy defeat away to Celta Vigo.

El Submarino Amarillo played out a goalless draw with struggling Real Valladolid last time out, meanwhile, but they have the fifth-best away record in Spain’s top flight this term, picking up 13 points, which is the same as leaders Atletico Madrid and fourth-placed Sevilla.

Valencia La Liga form: LDDDLL
Valencia form (all competitions): DDWDLL

Cadiz La Liga form: DWLLLD
Cadiz form (all competitions): WLWLLD

Team News

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Valencia will be without the services of both Goncalo Guedes and Jason through suspension on Monday night as the duo were sent off in the 2-1 loss at Granada last time out.

Jasper Cillessen, Gabriel Paulista are also definitely out through injury, while Toni Lato, Uros Racic and Hugo Guillamon are doubts for the hosts ahead of the contest.

Guedes’s absence could see Manu Vallejo feature in the final third of the field, while Yunus Musah is also expected to come into the starting XI, with Maxi Gomez potentially remaining on the bench.

As for Cadiz, Sergio Gonzalez and Salvi Sanchez are both unavailable, having tested positive for coronavirus, while Luismi Quezada and Augusto Fernandez are still struggling with injuries.

Alex Fernandez is expected to return to the starting XI following the goalless draw with Valladolid, but Alberto Perea and Fali should both keep their positions in the side.

There are also unlikely to be any changes in the final third of the field, with Anthony Lozano set to retain his spot alongside Alvaro Negredo despite the presence of Filip Malbasic.

Valencia possible starting lineup:
Domenech; Wass, Mangala, Diakhaby, Gaya; Musah, Racic, Soler, Cheryshev; Gomez, Vallejo

Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Carcelen, Lopez, Cala, Espino; Alex, Jonsson, Fali, Perea; Lozano, Negredo

We say: Valencia 1-1 Cadiz

Valencia are in desperate need of a win, but it is very difficult to back the hosts against a Cadiz side that have been impressive on the road this season; we are expecting a tight match between two teams in disappointing form and have therefore settled on a low-scoring draw.

Top betting tip