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

Cadiz will play host to Real Betis on Saturday in a game of major significance at both ends of the La Liga table.

The visitors will be aiming to boost their claim to climb back into the top four, while their opponents recently jumped out of the relegation zone.

Match preview

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After surviving the drop in La Liga last season, Cadiz looked at major risk of relegation this time around, as they sat in the bottom three with just 21 points from 26 outings.

However, under the management of Sergio, Los Piratas have given their survival hopes a huge boost recently, earning seven points from their last four league games.

They firstly stopped a five-game winless run by beating Rayo Vallecano 2-0, with Ruben Alcaraz and Oussama Idrissi on the scoreline, before bouncing back from a narrow defeat to defending champions Atletico Madrid with an impressive win against Villarreal.

That game looked set to end goalless, only for Ruben Sobrino to snatch all three valuable points with a 90th-minute winner, before they returned to action with a creditable goalless draw against Valencia.

Now sitting 17th, two points above the drop zone, Los Piratas should certainly be pleased with their improvement but will know they have plenty more work to do if they are to survive, and they will aim for what would be another unlikely win at the weekend.

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They welcome a Real Betis side who are knocking on the door of the top four after a positive run of results.

Having enjoyed a strong campaign overall, the Sevilla outfit established themselves within the Champions League places at various stages and now find themselves in an enviable position having earned two victories and a draw from their last three outings.

Manuel Pellegrini's side firstly beat Athletic Bilbao, and, after a disappointing exit from the Europa League at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt, they headed into the international break with a goalless stalemate against Celta Vigo.

Upon their return to action last weekend, Los Alviverdes hosted Osasuna, and a Juanmi brace alongside goals from William Carvalho and Alex Moreno ensured they moved within four points of faltering fourth-placed rivals Sevilla with a 4-1 victory.

With eight league games left to play, Pellegrini's men will be desperate to continue their hunt for a top-four finish with a second straight triumph.

Team News

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Cadiz are without experienced midfielder Jose Mari, who will serve a one-game suspension after he was sent off last time out.

Los Piratas should continue to trust veteran Alvaro Negredo in attack, with the former Manchester City striker having contributed an important tally of six league goals so far this term.

He may again be joined by Lucas Perez, while Anthony Lozano is also vying for a starting berth.

Real Betis will welcome star forward Nabil Fekir back to contention after a suspension, and the Frenchman will be vying for an immediate return to the XI, having contributed 10 goals and eight assists in all competitions this campaign.

Meanwhile, striker Borja Iglesias missed out on the squad last time out, and we are yet to see whether he will be able to return in time for this weekend's meeting.

In the absence of Fekir and Iglesias, Juanmi shone on the wing against Osasuna, and he will certainly keep his place on the left-hand side.

Further back, William Carvalho and Guido Rodriguez should reform their solid partnership at the base of midfield.

Cadiz possible starting lineup:

Ledesma; Akapo, Hernandez, Chust, Espino; Alejo, Fede, Alcaraz, Idrissi; Negredo, Lozano

Real Betis possible starting lineup:

Bravo; Bellerin, Bartra, Ruiz, Moreno; Carvalho, Rodriguez; Canales, Fekir, Juanmi; Jose

We say: Cadiz 1-2 Real Betis

Given Cadiz's major improvements recently, we expect a close and intriguing encounter with Los Alviverdes having to fight hard for all three points.

Ultimately, we do expect Pellegrini's side to get over the line thanks to their superior experience and quality, but they should certainly expect a tough afternoon.