Preview: Cadiz vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors have played out goalless draws with Espanyol and Celta Vigo, while their hosts have picked up commendable draws with Levante and Real Betis.

Match preview

Following their promotion in the 2019-20 season, Cadiz impressed in the top flight last year, eventually finishing comfortably in 12th spot, 10 points clear of the drop zone while only two points behind ninth-placed Granada.

Without looking too far up, Alvaro Cervera's men will again come into the new season with the ultimate aim of survival, but their showing last term will give them confidence of again pushing for a spot in the top half.

Los Piratas earned a commendable point to start the season, as Alfonso Espino hit a 97th-minute equaliser to see their home clash with Levante finish 1-1, after Jose Luis Morales had put the visitors ahead in the first half.

Following that late jubilation, Cervera's men faced another tough test as they travelled to take on Real Betis, and Alvaro Negredo put them ahead from the penalty spot before Juanmi equalised, but the visitors stood strong to come away with an impressive result away from home.

Having earned points from two tough clashes, Cadiz will now look to pick up their first league victory of the season to head into the international break with five points from their opening three games, signifying an impressive start to the new campaign.

They face a side in a very similar situation though, as Osasuna will also see a victory and two draws as a positive start before the upcoming break.

Osasuna had a fairly similar campaign to Cadiz last time around, finding themselves in a battle at the bottom of the table at the half-way stage, only to drag themselves to a comfortable finish, as they eventually ended in 11th spot, only ahead of Sunday's opponents on goal difference.

After a 10th-placed finish in the previous year following promotion, Jagoba Arraste's side look to be establishing themselves as a strong mid-table outfit in the top flight, and they will hope for a similar finish this time around, albeit without the threat of the drop.

They started with a home clash against newly-promoted Espanyol, and may have been left slightly disappointed as they were unable to break the deadlock, with the encounter finishing goalless.

Los Rojillos then hosted a dangerous Celta Vigo side with that match also ending as a stalemate, and while that is seemingly a commendable point, Arraste's men were left to rue their missed chances as they certainly looked the more likely of the sides to snatch all three points.

Despite their struggles in front of goal so far this season, Osasuna will take some positives from their two performances, and will look to build on their solid defensive foundations with more attacking edge on Sunday in their hunt for a first La Liga victory of the campaign.

Cadiz La Liga form:

Osasuna La Liga form:

Team News

Cadiz still have several injury issues to deal with, although their squad is slowly beginning to go back to full strength as a number of players come close to returns.

Jon Ander Garrido will certainly remain out, although Jose Mari, Santiago Arzamendia and Nano Mesa all have fighting chances of making the starting XI.

The line will be led by experienced forward Alvaro Negredo, who opened his account for the campaign against Real Betis after playing a crucial role in their debut La Liga season last time around, hitting eight league goals alongside four assists.

Anthony Lozano should return to the attacking line on the left-hand side, while Salvi Sanchez will likely feature on the opposite flank.

Osasuna's only absentee should be midfielder Kike Barja, who picked up an injury after positive start to the campaign.

They have been boosted by the return of winger Robert Ibanez from injury, although he should be eased back into action and is unlikely to start.

Ante Budimir will certainly be pushing for a starting spot though, as he only made a substitute appearance last time out after Los Rojillos smashed their transfer record to bring the forward in from Mallorca in the summer.

Cadiz possible starting lineup:

Ledesma; Akapo, Fali, Haroyan, Arzamendia; Jonsson, Alarcon; Sanchez, Fernandez, Lozano; Negredo

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Vidal, D Garcia, Hernandez, Sanchez; Brasanac, Moncayola, Torro; R Garcia, Budimir, Torres

We say: Cadiz 1-1 Osasuna

Having both drawn their opening two games, we see the most likely outcome being another draw on Sunday, between two sides who have shown themselves to be stubborn.

In what is bound to be a low-scoring affair, we do not see either team getting the edge, instead predicting each to add another point to their tally in a cagey encounter.