Preview: Osasuna vs. Cadiz - prediction, team news, lineups

Cadiz will be aiming to move out of the La Liga relegation zone when they head to Estadio El Sadar on Sunday evening to take on Osasuna.

The visitors are currently 19th in the table, two points from the safety of 17th position, while Osasuna occupy 14th, boasting 22 points from their opening 19 matches of the 2021-22 campaign.

Match preview

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Osasuna suffered a 1-0 defeat at Girona in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, which made it three straight losses in all competitions, including their last two in La Liga against Getafe and Athletic Bilbao.

Jagoba Arrasate's side have not actually been victorious in the league since the middle of October, and their disappointing run of form has seen them slide down the table into 14th position.

A record of five wins, seven draws and seven defeats from 19 matches has allowed Osasuna to collect 22 points, which has left them six points clear of the relegation zone at the mid-point of the campaign.

Los Rojillos have finished 10th and 11th in their two seasons since returning to this level of football, and they are still capable of pushing towards the top half despite their struggles for consistency this season.

Osasuna recorded a 3-2 victory over Cadiz when the two teams locked horns in the reverse match earlier this term, while they also triumphed 3-2 at Estadio El Sadar last season.

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Cadiz, meanwhile, have only picked up 14 points from their opening 19 matches of the season, which has left them in 19th position in the table, two points behind 17th-placed Elche.

The Yellow Submarine were excellent on their return to the top flight last season, finishing 12th, but they have found it difficult during the 2021-22 campaign and are currently locked in a relegation battle.

Alvaro Cervera's side were victorious in the Copa del Rey on Thursday evening, progressing to the last-16 stage of the competition courtesy of a 1-0 success over Fuenlabrada, with Tomas Alarcon netting a late winner.

Cadiz have not triumphed in La Liga since the start of November, though, losing four of their last six, including a 1-0 defeat to title-chasing Sevilla on home soil last time out.

Cervera's team have the worst home record in Spain's top flight this season but have picked up nine points from their nine games on their travels, which is the 12th-best record in the division.

Team News

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Osasuna will again be without the services of Jesus Areso through injury, while Darko Brasanac and Ivan Marquez are doubts for the home side following recent positive coronavirus tests.

Chimy Avila is suspended, meaning that Ante Budimir and Kike should operate at the tip of the attack, while Ruben Garcia and Kike Barja are expected to feature in the wide areas.

Head coach Arrasate could switch back to a 4-4-2 formation for this match, with Nacho Vidal and Cote playing at full-back on Sunday rather than wing-back, which was the case against Athletic last time out.

As for Cadiz, Jose Mari and Jon Ander Garrido remain unavailable for selection, while Marcos Mauro, Anthony Lozano and Salvi Sanchez are doubts.

There will be changes from the side that started against Fuenlabrada in the Copa del Rey, with Alarcon, Alvaro Negredo, Ivan Alejo and Jeremias Ledesma returning to the team.

Ruben Sobrino could join Negredo and Alejo in a front three, while there should be a switch back to a 4-3-3 formation, with Cervera playing a 3-5-2 in the Copa del Rey last time out.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Perez; Vidal, D Garcia, U Garcia, Cote; Barja, Moncayola, Torro, R Garcia; Kike, Budimir

Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Iza, Fali, Cala, Espino; Fernandez, Jonsson, Alarcon; Sobrino, Negredo, Alejo

We say: Osasuna 0-1 Cadiz

There is no downplaying the importance of this match for both sides, as a win could potentially act as a springboard for the rest of the season. Osasuna's home form this season has been disappointing, while Cadiz have been relatively strong on their travels, so we are backing a narrow away success here.

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