Match Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs Cadiz Predictions, Team News & H2H

Athletic Bilbao vs Cadiz predictions

Athletic Bilbao vs Cadiz predictions and match preview for Thursday’s game in LaLiga. Read on for the head-to-head, team news, betting tips and predicted lineups as the new boys head to San Mames.

  • DATE: Thursday 1st October 2020
  • KICK-OFF: 19:00 (local time)
  • VENUE: San Mames

Athletic Bilbao vs Cadiz Preview


Athletic Bilbao vs Cadiz match preview

LaLiga new boys Cadiz face a long trip north to San Mames on Thursday. They’ve made a mixed start to their first top flight campaign in 14 years and will be underdogs here against an Athletic side that is hoping to push for European football this season.

It has been a slightly disjointed start for Athletic Club, who were beaten 2-0 at Granada on the opening weekend and then didn’t have a fixture on matchday two, leaving them with a fortnight to stew over that defeat. 

Their response was positive though with Unai Lopez the unlikely hero at Eibar at the weekend. The midfielder, who had only previously scored one league goal for the club, bagged a brace to seal a derby victory for Gaizka Garitano’s side and they’ve a good opportunity to back that up with another three points here.

As for Cadiz, the trend from the end of last season in the Segunda Division when they were often more convincing on their travels than at home, has so far continued. They claimed their first win of the new campaign at Huesca, but have lost both matches at the Ramon de Carranza so far.

Cadiz come into this after a 3-1 Andalusian derby defeat to Sevilla. They did take the lead in that game with Alvaro Negredo teeing up Salvi Sanchez just after Half-Time but ultimately they couldn’t cope with the kind of quality Sevilla were able to bring off the bench with the continued use of the ‘5 substitutes’ rule, a clear benefit to the bigger clubs.

Head to Head

  • Last 2 Competitive Meetings: 1 Athletic Win, 1 Cadiz Win.
  • The only competitive meetings this century came during Cadiz’s last top flight campaign (2005/06).
  • Both games produced 1-0 home wins with Roberto scoring a late penalty to win the San Mames clash for Athletic.

Team News

Yeray is the only major absentee for Athletic meaning Unai Nunez will partner Inigo Martinez at centre-back.

Cadiz are also close to full strength but may consider some light rotation. Choco Lozano could lead the line if Alvaro Cervera decides veteran forward Alvaro Negredo needs a rest.

Predicted Athletic Starting Lineup:

Simon – Yuri, Nunez, Martinez, Capa – Dani Garcia, Unai Lopez – Morcillo, Muniain, Williams – Garcia (4-2-3-1)

Predicted Cadiz Starting Lineup:

Cifuentes – Espino, Cala, Mauro, Iza – Augusto, Jose Mari – Pombo, Alex Fernandez, Alejo – Negredo (4-2-3-1)


Athletic Bilbao vs Cadiz Predictions


Score Prediction: Athletic 2-1 Cadiz

Cadiz showed in their victory at Huesca that they are a team that is willing to let the opposition have the ball and strike quickly when they win possession. That could make them awkward opponents this season on their travels but overall Athletic should have a bit too much for them here and the Basques look capable of recording back-to-back league victories.

LaLiga Betting Tips (18+)

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About Mark Sochon 2034 Articles
Mark is a freelance writer based in Madrid. He has been writing about Spanish football since 2014 and regularly attends and covers matches across Spain. His work has also been published by various newspapers and websites including These Football Times, World Soccer and Guardian Sport. Available for freelance work: marksochon (at) hotmail.co.uk