Valencia will be bidding to make it three straight wins in La Liga when they travel to Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla on Sunday afternoon to take on Cadiz in a relegation six-pointer.
Los Che have moved out of the bottom three and up into 16th position in the table following their last two results, while Cadiz are 17th, only one point clear of 18th-placed Getafe heading into the next set of matches.
Match preview
© Reuters
Cadiz have hit a difficult patch of form at the worst possible stage of the season, only winning one of their last eight games in Spain's top flight, which was the 2-0 success at Real Betis on April 9.
The Yellow Submarine have only managed to pick up one point from their last three games, meanwhile, and they will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 home defeat to Osasuna.
A total of 32 points from 31 matches has left Sergio Gonzalez's side in 17th position in the table, just one point clear of the relegation zone, but they are just two points behind Almeria in 15th.
There are likely to be plenty more twists and turns before the end of the campaign, with only Elche - rock bottom on 13 points - being cut adrift at this stage, with as many as six other clubs involved in the battle.
Cadiz have found it difficult to pick up results in front of their own fans this season, only claiming 18 points from 16 games, but they will be welcoming a Valencia outfit with the third-worst away record, having only picked up nine points from their 15 matches on their travels.
© Reuters
The visitors will be full of confidence entering this match, though, following back-to-back wins over Elche and Real Valladolid, which have allowed them to move out of the relegation zone.
On Thursday night, Valencia recorded a 2-1 victory over Real Valladolid, with 19-year-old Javi Guerra scoring a 93rd-minute winner, which sparked jubilant scenes inside the stadium.
Ruben Baraja's side are far from out of trouble, sitting just two points clear of the relegation zone, but they have momentum entering the final straight and will be eyeing another huge victory on Sunday.
Valencia have some tough matches before the end of the season, facing Real Madrid, Villarreal and Real Betis, while their away form is a concern despite winning 2-0 against Elche in their last game away from their own supporters.
Los Che have also struggled in their recent meetings with Cadiz, losing two of the last four La Liga matches between the two sides, and the Yellow Submarine will be looking to do the league double over their opponents this weekend, having run out 1-0 winners at Mestalla back in January.
Team News
© Reuters
Cadiz have a lengthy injury list at the moment, with Fali, Anthony Lozano, Jorge Mere, Gonzalo Escalante, Brian Ocampo, Juan Cala, Jon Ander Garrido and Joseba Zaldua all on the sidelines through injury.
Victor Chust also had to be substituted in the first half against Osasuna, so there is likely to be a change in the middle of the defence, with Mamadou Mbaye expected to start.
Sergi Guardiola could also be introduced in the final third of the field, but Chris Ramos, Ruben Sobrino and Theo Bongonda should retain their starting roles for the home side.
As for Valencia, Samu Castillejo, Marcos de Sousa, Thierry Correia and Justin Kluivert remain on the sidelines through injury, but Los Che have no fresh concerns from their win over Real Valladolid.
Head coach Baraja is expected to switch to a back four for this match, which is likely to lead to Cenk Ozkacar dropping down to the bench, with Hugo Duro potentially featuring in the final third of the field.
Guerra's late goal against Real Valladolid has put him in contention for a start, but the teenager is again expected to be on the bench alongside the likes of Ilaix Moriba and Toni Lato.
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Carcelen, Hernandez, Mbaye, Espino; Bongonda, Fede, Alcaraz, Sobrino; Guardiola, Ramos
Valencia possible starting lineup:
Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Paulista, Diakhaby, Gaya; Almeida, Musah, Gonzalez; Lino, Cavani, Duro
We say: Cadiz 1-1 Valencia
It is tough to back Valencia away from home, even against a Cadiz outfit that have struggled in front of their own fans. It would certainly not be a surprise to see an away or indeed a home victory on Sunday, but we just have a feeling that a cagey affair will end with the points being shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
