Preview: Cadiz vs. Real Valladolid - prediction, team news, lineups

Cadiz are currently 16th in the division, level on points with 17th-placed Real Valladolid, with both sides only a point outside of the relegation zone heading into the next set of fixtures of Spain's top flight.

Match preview

Only Elche have been relegated from La Liga at this stage of the season, with a number of other clubs battling for survival, and one of those is Cadiz, who have picked up just 35 points from 34 league games this season to sit 16th, just one point ahead of 18th-placed Getafe.

The Yellow Submarine are in their third straight season in Spain's top flight, which is their best run at this level of football since the early 1990s.

Cadiz only just survived relegation last season, though, finishing 17th, and they are firmly locked in a battle at this stage. Sergio Gonzalez's side actually picked up a huge three points against Valencia on April 30, only to lose their next two against Atletico Madrid and Mallorca.

El Submarino Amarillo will be pleased to be back on home soil after successive defeats on their travels, but they have the third-worst home record in La Liga this term, only picking up 21 points from 17 matches.

Cadiz, who beat Real Valladolid 1-0 in the reverse game earlier this season, will take on Villarreal (A), Celta Vigo (H) and Elche (A) in their last three games of the campaign, and their result on Friday is likely to have a huge say in whether they are able to avoid relegation.

Real Valladolid are not in a position to hand out any favours, though, as they are also in desperate need of the points, sitting below Cadiz in the table, just outside of the relegation zone.

Seven points from their three league games against Mallorca, Villarreal and Girona last month placed the White and Violets in a strong position to avoid relegation, but they have since lost their last four against Valencia, Atletico Madrid, Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla.

Paulo Pezzolano's side will actually host Barcelona, who have already been confirmed as champions, in their next match on May 23, before taking on fellow strugglers Almeria and Getafe to finish the season.

Real Valladolid's fate is very much in their own hands, as they bid to avoid being relegated straight back to the Segunda Division following their promotion last term.

There is simply no downplaying the importance of this match to both sides, but Real Valladolid have struggled on their travels this term, only picking up 11 points from 17 games, which is not a record that will not fill their supporters with too much confidence ahead of Friday's affair.

Cadiz La Liga form:

L

D

L

W

L

L

Real Valladolid La Liga form:

W

W

L

L

L

L

Team News

Cadiz will again be without the services of Alex Fernandez, Victor Chust, Roger Marti, Brian Ocampo and Jon Ander Garrido for Friday's contest due to injury.

Meanwhile, Ivan Alejo is suspended due to the booking that he picked up against Mallorca last time out.

Alejo's absence is likely to open the door for Theo Bongonda to come in for a start, while Anthony Lozano is also pushing to be included for the first whistle on Friday night.

As for Real Valladolid, Luis Perez, Selim Amallah and Anuar Tuhami all missed out against Sevilla last time out through injury, and that will again be the case for this match.

Head coach Pezzolano will make changes to the side that started the 3-0 loss, with Ivan Sanchez, Oscar Plano and Sergio Leon likely to come in for starts.

There is also expected to be a recall at right-back for Ivan Fresneda, who continues to be linked with a move away from the club, with Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund allegedly among his suitors.

Cadiz possible starting lineup:

Ledesma; Carcelen, Hernandez, Fali, Espino; Bongonda, Escalante, Fede, Sobrino; Lozano, Ramos

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Masip; Fresneda, J Sanchez, Torres, Escudero; Sanchez, Hongla, Monchu; Plano, Larin, Leon

We say: Cadiz 1-1 Real Valladolid

Cadiz have one of the poorer home records in La Liga this season, but Real Valladolid have struggled on their travels. It is a huge game towards the bottom of the table, but the desire not to lose is likely to be stronger than the desire to win, so a tight match could end with the spoils being shared.

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