Preview: Cadiz vs. Celta Vigo - prediction, team news, lineups

In a nail-biting relegation battle in Spain's top flight, just two points separate 13th to 18th with two games remaining.

Match preview

Cadiz enter the weekend's action in 17th, level on points with Getafe and Real Valladolid, only outside the bottom three thanks to their superior head-to-head record over the latter.

After losing their three last on the road, albeit at the tough venues of Atletico Madrid, Real Mallorca and Villarreal, Sergio Gonzalez's side will be glad to be back on home soil for this crunch encounter.

Their last two fixtures here have both ended in victories, getting the better of fellow relegation rivals Valladolid and Valencia.

Celta are a favoured opponent of Cadiz too, considering the Galician side have only won on one of their last 15 trips here.

That bodes well considering a win is guaranteed to move them further away from trouble given that two other matches this week pit two relegation rivals together.

Playing an already-relegated Elche side on the final day also means that Sergio's men would love to have their fate in their own hands heading into that clash.

Scoring goals is a necessity though, and that is something the side have struggled to do all season, find the net on just 28 occasions - no side in La Liga has fewer.

Theo Bongonda is the club's top scorer this campaign with just four goals, and two of those came last weekend in their win over Valladolid.

Celta start the weekend in a slightly more promising position, knowing that a win here will secure their survival due to Getafe and Valladolid facing each other on the final weekend.

However, claiming wins has been an arduous task of late for Celta, as the Sky Blues have tasted victory only once in their last 10 outings.

Their away form makes for even more worrying reading too, with four successive defeats on the road to their name.

Their last win away from Galicia came before the March international break, but manager Carlos Carvalhal may feel they will need to get something from this one given that they play Barcelona on the final day.

However, since Xavi's side clinched the title they have started gifting out surprise wins, especially to sides fighting the drop.

Among the seven sides still fighting relegation, Celta were one of the best-placed sides ahead of the midweek action, but after only drawing at home to Girona, they were one of many who slipped up, bringing everybody back into the equation.

Cadiz La Liga form:

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W

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Celta Vigo La Liga form:

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Team News

Cadiz have an eye-watering injury list to contend with ahead of this important clash.

Attacking duo Roger Marti and Brian Ocampo will play no further part this season, as well as Cala and Jon Ander Garrido who are also both sidelined.

Honduran international Choco Lozano will return though after serving a one-match suspension in midweek.

Chris Ramos is a doubt after missing their trip to Villarreal, while Fali, Alex Fernandez and Victor Chust are all set to miss out too.

Fran Beltran is the only outfielder at Celta currently recuperating from injury, and there is a chance he could feature here.

His initial replacement Luca de la Torre was suspended in midweek after picking up five bookings, but will be available to come back in should Beltran not make it.

Goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin is the other absentee and he will definitely play no part due to an ACL injury.

Iago Aspas could start after missing last weekend's defeat to Athletic Bilbao and only featuring for 10 minutes in midweek.

Cadiz possible starting lineup:

Ledesma; Iza Carcelen, Hernandez, Jorge Mere, Espino; Alejo, San Emeterio, Escalante, Bongonda; Ruben Sobrino, Sergio Guardiola

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Villar; Hugo Mallo, Unai Nunez, Aidoo, Javi Galan; Gabri Veiga, Tapia, O Rodriguez; Carles Perez, Iago Aspas, Cervi

We say: Cadiz 1-1 Celta Vigo

Celta do not win often on the road, especially at this venue, and Cadiz are tricky to beat on home soil, losing just three times here in 2023.

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