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

The home side will enter the contest off the back of a 3-2 success over Granada, while relegation-threatened Cadiz recorded a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid last time out.

Match preview

Real Sociedad had been on a four-game losing run ahead of their clash with Granada on Saturday, and they were staring at another defeat heading into the final exchanges of the clash at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes.

However, Robin Le Normand levelled the scores in the 80th minute before Andre Silva struck a third for the Blue and Whites in the 85th minute, with the team winning for just the second time in their last 11 matches.

Imanol Alguacil's side lost in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey at the end of February and were then eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the last-16 stage of the Champions League, while their league form has also been disappointing, winning just two of their last seven matches.

Real Sociedad finished fourth in Spain's top flight last season but are currently sixth in the table this term, 12 points behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid and just a point clear of seventh-placed Real Betis.

The Basque outfit now only have the league to focus on in the closing months of the campaign, and they will be looking to improve on a disappointing home record which has seen them take just 20 points from 13 matches.

Cadiz, meanwhile, will enter this match off the back of a huge 2-0 victory over Atletico, with Juanmi netting a brace in the home success over Diego Simeone's side.

The win proved to be the team's first in Spain's top flight since the start of September and just their third in the league all campaign, while it significantly boosted their survival hopes.

Mauricio Pellegrino's side are 18th in the table on 22 points, just two points behind 17th-placed Celta Vigo, while they are also now just four points behind Rayo Vallecano in 16th.

El Submarino Amarillo are in their fourth straight season at this level of football, which is their best run since the early 1990s, and it would be some effort if they could avoid relegation this term.

Cadiz have found it difficult on their travels this season, picking up just six points from 14 matches, failing to win in the process, but they claimed a point away to Real Sociedad in the league last term and also held the Basque side to a goalless draw in the reverse meeting between the two sides back in December.

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

D

L

W

L

L

W

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):

W

L

D

L

L

W

Cadiz La Liga form:

D

L

L

D

D

W

Team News

Real Sociedad will again be missing a number of players through injury, with Arsen Zakharyan, Aritz Elustondo, Alvaro Odriozola, Martin Merquelanz and Aihen Munoz unavailable for selection.

Carlos Fernandez remains a doubt due to a knee problem, but Takefusa Kubo should be available following a slight hamstring issue, with the attacker set to come into the side.

Umar Sadiq might again get the nod over Andre Silva at centre-forward, but Kieran Tierney could come into the XI in place of Javi Galan, while Jon Pacheco will also return to the squad following a suspension.

As for Cadiz, Fede San Emeterio, Luis Hernandez and Roger Marti remain unavailable through injury, while Ivan Alejo is suspended following his late booking against Atletico.

Juanmi netted a brace against Atletico and is set to continue in the final third of the field, with Maxi Gomez expected to retain his position alongside him.

Chris Ramos and Alex Fernandez are among the options for change, but it seems likely that it will be a case of same again from Pellegrino due to the manner of the performance and result against Simeone's side.

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Traore, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Tierney; Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino; Kubo, Sadiq, Oyarzabal

Cadiz possible starting lineup:

Ledesma; Carcelen, Ousou, Chust, J Hernandez; Navarro, Alcaraz, Kouame, Sobrino; Gomez, Juanmi

We say: Real Sociedad 2-1 Cadiz

Cadiz will be full of confidence following their success over Atletico, but this is a different challenge on the road to Real Sociedad. The home side have not exactly been at their best in recent weeks, but we are expecting them to navigate their way to an important three points on Friday night.

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