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

The hosts have already been relegated to the second tier, but they will be determined to finish the campaign on a high in Sunday's contest.

Match preview

Elche's three-year stay in the top flight will draw to a close on Sunday after enduring a difficult campaign where they have picked up just 24 points from 37 games.

Although they will want to quickly forget the 2022-23 season, Sebastian Beccacece have experienced a new lease of life since their relegation was confirmed with a 2-1 defeat to Almeria earlier this month.

Lucas Boye scored a stoppage-time winner in Sunday's away meeting against Athletic Club to extend their unbeaten run to four matches (W2, D2).

Elche have mustered just three wins in 18 home league games this season, but two of those victories have arrived in their last three home matches.

The hosts are now preparing for their final La Liga game for at least another season, and they will be confident about picking up a positive result, having avoided defeat in each of their last four competitive home meetings against Cadiz.

Cadiz will be looking to extend their stay in the top flight into a fourth consecutive season when they make the trip to the Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero on Sunday.

The visitors head into the contest with a two-point gap to the drop zone after they recorded a 1-0 home win over Cadiz thanks to a second-half effort from Ruben Sobrino.

The Andalusians know that a point on Sunday will guarantee their survival, and even if they fail to pick up a positive result, they will only be relegated if a number of results go against them.

Although Cadiz have won their last three home matches, they have failed to translate that form onto their travels, having lost three consecutive away games.

If they are to avoid another defeat, Cadiz may need to score the first goal, as they have lost all 10 away league games where they have conceded first.

Elche La Liga form:

W

L

W

D

D

W

Cadiz La Liga form:

W

L

L

W

L

W

Team News

The hosts could be without the services of Omar Mascarell, Jose Angel Carmona, Helibelton Palacios and Pedro Bigas, who are all struggling with injury issues.

Carlos Clerc will miss Sunday's home contest through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season last weekend.

Boye dropped to the bench last weekend, but he is expected to return to the lineup after coming off the bench to score the winner at San Mames.

As for Cadiz, they are expected to be without the services of Victor Chust, Alex Fernandez, Cala, Brian Ocampo, Jon Ander Garrido and Joseba Zaldua.

Fali and Chris Ramos have struggled with injury issues in recent weeks, but the pair could be available for selection for the final game of the season.

After claiming a narrow win over Celta last weekend, Cadiz boss Sergio could be tempted to name an unchanged lineup.

Elche possible starting lineup:

Badia; Josan, Magallan, Roco, Verdu, Blanco; Gumbau, Donald, Fidel; Tete Moreno, Nteka

Cadiz possible starting lineup:

Ledesma; Carcelen, Hernandez, Mere, Espino; Bongonda, Escalante, Alcaraz, Sobrino; Lozano, Guardiola

We say: Elche 2-1 Cadiz

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