Preview: Real Valladolid vs. Cadiz - prediction, team news, lineups

Relegation-threatened Real Valladolid will be looking to record their first La Liga victory since the start of March when they welcome Cadiz to Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla on Saturday afternoon.

Valladolid are currently 17th in the table, one point clear of 18th-placed Huesca, while Cadiz occupy 13th spot in Spain's top flight, nine points ahead of the bottom three.

Match preview

© Reuters

Valladolid are looking to secure a third straight season at this level of football, but they are currently one of a number of teams battling for their lives towards the bottom of the table.

Indeed, a record of five wins, 13 draws and 13 defeats from 31 matches has seen Sergio Gonzalez's side collect 28 points, which has left them in 17th spot, just one point ahead of 18th-placed Huesca.

Arguably as many as six teams are currently in a relegation battle, but Valladolid would give their chances of staying in the league a big boost if they could manage to pick up all three points this weekend.

The White and Violets are currently on a run of five games without a victory in Spain's top flight, including a 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Elche on Wednesday.

Sergio's team have also struggled on their own patch this term, picking up just 14 points from 15 matches, which is the second-worst home record in Spain's top flight.

© Reuters

Cadiz, meanwhile, will enter this weekend's match off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, with the Spanish champions in impressive form despite missing a number of key players.

Having earned promotion back to the top level for the 2020-21 campaign, securing survival was always going to be the number one priority, and Alvaro Cervera's side are relatively secure in the table.

Indeed, a record of nine wins, nine draws and 13 defeats from 32 matches has seen them collect 36 points, which is enough for 13th position, nine points clear of the relegation zone.

Cadiz have taken seven points from their last four matches during a strong run of form, including a 1-0 victory at Getafe in their last away game on April 10.

The Yellow Submarine are actually only three points off ninth-placed Granada at this stage and might therefore be eyeing their best-ever finish at this level of football.

Team News

© Reuters

Valladolid will again be without the services of Jawad El Yamiq, Raul Garcia and Javi Sanchez this weekend through injury, while Shon Weissman and Kiko Olivas are doubts.

Weissman is unlikely to be available to start even if he proves his fitness, meaning that there could again be a spot in the final third of the field for Kenan Kodro alongside Sergi Guardiola.

Saidy Janko could be preferred to Luis Perez at right-back, while Roque Mesa should retain his spot in the middle of the park alongside Ruben Alcaraz.

As for Cadiz, bookings for Jens Jonsson and Salvi Sanchez against Real Madrid on Wednesday night mean that the pair are both ruled out of this match through suspension.

Luismi Quezada and Alberto Perea are still injured, but Alex Fernandez has a chance of overcoming a muscular problem in time for the contest.

Jon Ander Garrido is likely to replace Jonsson in the middle of the park, but Anthony Lozano could again start on the bench, with Ruben Sobrino likely to retain his spot alongside Alvaro Negredo.

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:
Masip; Janko, Fernandez, Gonzalez, Olaza; Orellana, Mesa, Alcaraz, Plano; Guardiola, Kodro

Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Iza, Fali, Cala, Espino; Alejo, Mari, Garrido, Izquierdo; Sobrino, Negredo

We say: Real Valladolid 1-1 Cadiz

This is a very tough match for Valladolid, with Cadiz picking up some standout results in La Liga this season. A defeat would be harmful for the home side at this stage of the campaign, but we believe that Sergio's side will have enough to claim a share of the spoils on Saturday afternoon.