Barcelona vs Cadiz: BAR vs CAD – Cadiz are traveling to Barcelona for their first La Liga away match of this season. They started the season with a 1-0 win over Alaves in their opening match at home. However, their away record last season was horrible. Additionally, it doesn’t help that their first opponent on the road are the defending champions. They were busy this summer transfer window as they bolstered their squad. The results spoke for themselves in the opening match. However, they will have to fight harder to keep winning as they face Barcelona now.
Cadiz ended last season in 14th position in the league table with 42 points from 38 games. That was only 2 points safe from the relegation zone. They were fighting to stay afloat in Spain’s top-flight competition till the very last matchday. Fortunately, the single point they managed to collect against Elche in their last match of the season, secured them a place in this season’s La Liga. This is their fourth season in a row in Spain’s first-division competition.
That is Cadiz’s best run of form since the early 1990s. The Yellow Submarine were busy during the summer in the transfer window and in pre-season friendlies. They played a total of 7 pre-season matches where they won 6 of them. Their only defeat came in the hands of the recently promoted Las Palmas. Their wins came against Barbate, Chiclana, Espanyol, Al Wakrah, Cordoba, and Lecce. Following a successful pre-season campaign, they started La Liga on a good note as well.
The Yellow Submarine won by a narrow 1-0 margin against Alaves in their opening La Liga match on last Monday. The only goal of the match was scored by Frederico San Emerterio in the 7th minute. They could not find the back of the net another time throughout the match. However, they managed to hold off Alaves even though they played the last few minutes with 10 men. Gonzalo Escalante who came off the bench in the 71st minute, was sent off at 88th into the match.
Hence, Escalante, who arrived at the club on a permanent deal this summer will not be available for Sunday’s match against Barcelona as he will be serving suspension. Sergi Guardiola is another player who signed with Cadiz on a permanent basis this season after finishing his loan spell. Two other new arrivals at the club have been Javi Hernandez and Darwin Machis. Both should be featuring in the starting XI on Sunday. Meanwhile, Chris Ramos and Roger should be running points in the final third.
Cadiz will be without the services of Victor Chust, Sergi Guardiola, and Brian Ocampo as the trio are recovering from their respective injuries. The coach found success in the starting XI he field against Alaves in their opening match. Hence, there is a big chance that he will keep the same lineup against Barcelona, who seem to be off-form at this time. La Blaugrana got away with only a draw in their opening match. Cadiz will definitely try to use this opportunity to gain momentum early in the competition.
Cadiz Predicted XI: Ledesma; Carcelen, Fali, L Hernandez, J Hernandez; Alejo, Emeterio, Alcaraz, Machis; Ramos, Roger
Editors pick
