Athletic Club vs Cadiz predictions and match preview for Friday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Cadiz head to the Basque Country.
| Date | Friday 3rd February 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (CET) |
| Stadium | San Mames |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Athletic Club vs Cadiz Preview
The Friday night game in LaLiga this week comes from San Mames as Athletic Club aim to get back to winning ways. They’ve just slipped back in their pursuit of European football in recent weeks and really could do with three points here.
Their good run in the Copa del Rey may have played some role in hindering them in the league, particularly in their defeat at Celta last time out with their opponents the fresher side. Their Semi-Final against Osasuna doesn’t get going until March though so there are no excuses here as Athletic look to bounce back from three straight defeats in LaLiga.
One of the main talking points in Bilbao since the turn of the year has been the limited involvement of Iker Muniain. Arguably Athletic’s most talented player did finally return to the eleven for their last two games but it seems Ernesto Valverde is reluctant to pick both Muniain and Oihan Sancet in the same XI. He wasn’t able to count upon Iñaki Williams either last time out with the forward’s incredible 251 game run of consecutive LaLiga appearances finally ending due to a minor injury.
It has been a much better January over in Cadiz with just one defeat since the World Cup for Sergio’s side. They claimed a rare home win last time out, seeing off Mallorca 2-0 at the Nuevo Mirandilla but they do remain in the relegation zone heading into matchday 20. The situation is so tight in the bottom half though, that they could climb as many as six places with victory here.
It has also been an interesting month off the pitch with Cadiz one of the busiest clubs in LaLiga in the January transfer window. They have focused on forwards with Sergi Guardiola and Roger Marti coming in. Both have a recent record of scoring goals at this level while Chris Ramos could also compete after his move to Cadiz following three years in the second tier at Lugo. Gonzalo Escalante is another notable January addition with the midfielder coming on loan from Lazio and he may well start here due to the considerable injury problems they currently have.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Athletic Club
| INJURED | Iñigo Martinez |
| DOUBTFUL | Iñaki Williams |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Simon – Yuri, Vivian, Yeray, De Marcos – Vesga, Zarraga – Berenguer, Muniain, Nico Williams – Guruzeta (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Cadiz
| INJURED | Garrido, Zaldua, Chust, Mari, Gil, Cala, Negredo, San Emeterio |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Alcaraz |
Possible XI: Ledesma – Espino, Fali, Luis Hernandez, Iza – Ocampo, Alex Fernandez, Escalante, Bongonda – Sobrino, Lozano (4-4-2)
Coach: Sergio
Score Prediction: Athletic Club 2-0 Cadiz
Cadiz have only let in 3 goals in their 5 league outings since the World Cup and they will most likely set their stall out to be quite defensive. Athletic haven’t been at their best in the league of late but after a midweek rest, they should be in better shape to attack this game and they ought to put a halt to their 5 game winless streak, particularly with the visitors missing 9 players here due to injury or suspension.
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