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

The home side will enter the contest off the back of an impressive 1-0 win away to Real Sociedad, while Cadiz's struggles continued last time out, losing by two goals at home to Real Betis.

Match preview

Osasuna have found it difficult to show their best form for much of the season, but Jagoba Arrasate's side put in an excellent performance in their last game, winning 1-0 at Champions League last-16 outfit Real Sociedad.

Ante Budimir netted early in the second period to hand Los Rojillos a vital three points and move them up into 11th position in the table, boasting 29 points from their 24 league games this season.

Osasuna finished seventh in Spain's top flight last term, so there has been a drop off this season, but they are only four points behind 10th-placed Getafe and will have their eyes on a top-half finish.

Arrasate's team have struggled for consistency at home this season, only picking up 15 points from 12 matches, while they have only netted 12 times in front of their own supporters during the 2023-24 campaign.

Los Rojillos recorded a 2-0 victory over Cadiz when the two teams locked horns in the corresponding game last season, but the points were shared in a 1-1 draw when they went to battle earlier this term.

Cadiz are in their fourth straight season at this level of football, which represents their best run in Spain's top flight since the early 1990s, so it is a successful period in their history.

The Yellow Submarine are facing a huge battle when it comes to avoiding relegation this season, though, with a difficult campaign leaving them down in 18th position in the table.

Cadiz have a record of two wins, 11 draws and 11 defeats from their 24 league games this season, which has brought them 17 points, but it is not quite time to hit the panic button, as they are only three points behind 17th-placed Celta Vigo with 14 games left to play.

Mauricio Pellegrino was appointed head coach towards the end of last month, and the Argentine has managed to deliver two draws and one defeat from his three games at the helm, with the loss proving to be the 2-0 reverse at home to Real Betis last time out.

Cadiz have a gigantic game at home to Celta next weekend, so a positive result on Saturday would leave them in a strong frame of mind ahead of the six-pointer on February 25.

Osasuna La Liga form:

W

W

D

L

L

W

Osasuna form (all competitions):

L

W

D

L

L

W

Cadiz La Liga form:

L

L

L

D

D

L

Team News

Osasuna will again be without the services of Jose Arnaiz due to a thigh problem, but the home side are otherwise in strong shape ahead of their clash with Cadiz.

Head coach Arrasate is expected to select the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Real Sociedad last time out, with Ruben Pena joining leading goalscorer Budimir in the final third.

Ruben Garcia and Raul Garcia are among the options for change, but Arrasate is unlikely to find a reason to change a side that performed so impressively in their last game.

As for Cadiz, Fede San Emeterio, Luis Hernandez, Javi Hernandez and Roger Marti will miss Saturday's contest due to injury problems.

Head coach Pellegrino is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack, but there is likely to be a start in a wide area for Juanmi, with Ivan Alejo potentially dropping out.

Sergi Guardiola could also be introduced in place of Ruben Sobrino, with Pellegrino desperately attempting to find a solution to the team's lack of goals, with Cadiz comfortably the lowest goalscorers in Spain's top flight this term on 15.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Areso, U Garcia, D Garcia, Herrando, Mojica; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Pena, Budimir

Cadiz possible starting lineup:

Ledesma; Carcelen, Fali, Chust, Pires; Juanmi, Escalante, Alcaraz, Navarro; Guardiola, Ramos

We say: Osasuna 1-0 Cadiz

Cadiz are yet to win away from home this season and have netted just six times on their travels, so it is very difficult to back them to pick up a positive result on Saturday. We are not expecting it to be a comfortable win for Osasuna but are tipping them to secure all three points.

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