Espanyol vs Cadiz Predictions & Match Preview

Espanyol vs Cadiz predictions and match preview for Friday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two relegation candidates clash.

Espanyol vs Cadiz Preview

LaLiga returns on Friday with a massive relegation six-pointer at the RCDE Stadium. This feels like it could be a really pivotal game that may go a long way to determining the fates of Espanyol and Cadiz this term.

Espanyol have lost six in a row in LaLiga, despite scoring in all of those games, to plummet to 19th in the table. That run includes their first two games under Luis Garcia who replaced Diego Martinez as coach earlier this month. The early signs suggest that was not a wise call with no evidence of any kind of new manager bounce, and on the surface they now have a man of limited experience and a significantly inferior CV aiming to turn their season around.

There was a dejected feel to Espanyol as they succumbed to what at times felt like an almost inevitable defeat at Betis last weekend. Cesar Montes’ acrobatic effort was not enough to spare them a 3-1 defeat. With a tough trip to Villarreal next and the derby with Barcelona also on the horizon, this already feels like a “must win” game if Espanyol want to be playing top flight football again next season.

They are up against a Cadiz side that are currently three places and four points better off. However they will be well aware that they have a lot of work to do in order to guarantee their status at this level. Cadiz are at least a battle-hardened side having secured survival on the final weekend last season and they’re sure to scrap for every point between now and early June.

They were outclassed last weekend by a Real Madrid side that had 35 attempts on goal, but still took 72 minutes to find a way past David Gil. The stand-in keeper for the last four games is likely to drop to the bench here with Jeremias Ledesma back from suspension. They do still have some notable injury absentees but can take confidence from having not lost any of their eight matches this season against sides currently in the bottom seven – those that look likely to contest the relegation scrap.

Team News & Possible Lineups

Espanyol

Possible XI: Pacheco – Pedrosa, Cabrera, Montes, Gil – Gragera, Darder – Puado, Melamed, Braithwaite – Joselu (4-2-3-1)

Coach: Luis Garcia

Cadiz

Possible XI: Ledesma – Espino, Fali, Luis Hernandez, Iza Carcelen – Sobrino, San Emeterio, Alcaraz, Bongonda – Ramos, Guardiola (4-4-2)

Coach: Sergio

Score Prediction: Espanyol 1-1 Cadiz

Espanyol have quality in their team and always carry a goal threat with Joselu up front but you can never rely on them to keep things tight at the back. The change in coach appears to have had very little impact in truth and Cadiz look capable of coming here and taking a good point.

PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.