Real Madrid will look to return to winning ways in the league when they square up against relegation-threatened Cadiz.
Real Madrid lost 3-2 against Villarreal in their last league outing and will be eager to get back on track when they hit the road to square up against Cadiz. While Los Blancos head into this fixture on the back of an impressive 2-0 win over Chelsea in the Champions League, they will vary of the threat 14th-placed Cadiz possess.
Cadiz secured a much-needed victory over Real Betis in their last game, with goals from Ruben Alcaraz and Chris Ramos leading them to a 2-0 win. The result saw them move up to 14th place in the La Liga table. But, they are only four points clear of the relegation zone and still have a lot to take care of.
The home team will be looking to continue their winning form as they aim to secure their eighth league victory of the season. Despite having the third-worst home record in the league, Cadiz will hope they can hold off Real Madrid. They managed a 1-1 draw against Los Blancos in their home fixture last year.
They will be hoping to repeat that feat this time around. With the relegation battle heating up, a positive result in this match would give Cadiz a boost heading into their crucial game against Espanyol next week.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, are in a strong position in the Champions League after securing a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. They also have a Copa del Rey final to look forward to next month.
However, their chances of winning La Liga look slim, as they currently trail leaders Barcelona by 13 points. While Madrid have managed to stay in second place on the league table, their recent form has been inconsistent. Los Blancos have won just two out of their last six league games.
They suffered a 3-2 defeat to Villarreal in their previous match, and they will be looking to bounce back against Cadiz. Real Madrid’s away form has been relatively strong this season, but they have suffered four of their five La Liga defeats on the road, which could give Cadiz hope for a positive result. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at this fixture and tries to predict the tactics the teams could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Cadiz
Sergio Gonzalez Soriano’s team will be without the services of Gonzalo Escalante and Brian Ocampo due to injury. Meanwhile, Juan Cala, Jon Ander Garrido and Joseba Zaldua remain doubtful due to fitness concerns.
😎🫡 Beware, danger, @realmadriden #ThisIsCádiz pic.twitter.com/RdefA2H5VA
— Cádiz CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@Cadiz_CFEN) April 14, 2023
Jeremias Ledesma is suspended for this home fixture. Sergio is expected to go ahead with the tried and tested 4-4-2 where David Gil will be in goal. Isaac Carcelen and Alfonso Espino will be the full-backs. Luis Hernandez will pair up with Rafael Jimenez Jarque known as Fali in the heart of the defence.
Theo Bongonda and Rubén Sobrino will start out wide in the centre of the park, they will look to provide the width as well as support the front two. Ruben Alcaraz and Federico San Emeterio will feature in the central midfield roles. As far as the attack is concerned, Sergi Guardiola will pair up with Chris Ramos up top.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Gil; Carcelen, Hernandez, Fali, Espino; Bongonda, Emeterio, Alcaraz, Sobrino; Guardiola, Ramos
Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti will be without the services of Ferland Mendy for this fixture. Apart from the full-back, the entire squad is fit and available. But, the Real Madrid manager is expected to make wholesale changes to the XI that took the field against Chelsea in the first league given that the second leg is scheduled in a few days’ time.
Ancelotti has decided to rest Toni Kroos and Vinicius Junior, the duo will not be making this trip with the squad.
👔🎙️ 𝙇𝙄𝙑𝙀 | @MrAncelotti speaks to the press ahead of #CádizRealmadrid! https://t.co/Kcz5n3xaCM
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) April 14, 2023
The Italian manager could start with the 4-3-3 formation where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Lucas Vazquez and Nacho could start as the full-backs. Antonio Rudiger could return to XI and partner David Alaba in the heart of the defence.
As far as the midfield is concerned, Luka Modric is likely to be rested. Aurelien Tchouameni will start as the defensive midfielder and will have the support of Eduardo Camavinga and Dani Ceballos.
Rodrygo Goes could be leading the line and Asenio could start as the right-wingers. Meanwhile, Eden Hazard is expected to get a rare start as the left-winger.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Vazquez, Rudiger, Alaba, Nacho; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Asensio, Rodrygo, Hazard
Key Stats
- Since 1977, Real Madrid and Cadiz have squared up 34 times in all competitions. Los Blancos have won 24 times while the home team have four wins.
- Real Madrid are unbeaten in their last six trips to Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla. They have won four out of those fixtures.
- Real Madrid are the highest-scoring team in the league having found the back of the net on 59 occasions.
- Los Blancos have kept two clean sheets in their last four away games.
- Cadiz have lost only once at home in La Liga since October.
Player to Watch
Marco Asensio
Asensio scored the all-important second goal against Chelsea in the UCL quarter-final in their last outing. The Spanish forward might not be a first-team regular but he surely does it when asked to. And, Ancelotti will expect him to deliver once again when they face Cadiz.
The 27-year-old has featured in 38 matches, and the majority of his appearances have come off the bench. He has been on the pitch for just under 1400 minutes in all competitions and has 15 goal contributions. Asensio will look to add to his tally when he takes the field against the home team.
Prediction
Cadiz 0-2 Real Madrid
Cadiz will be aiming to secure three points to enhance their chances of avoiding the relegation zone. Real Madrid, on the other hand, will look to bounce back from their 3-2 defeat in their last league game.
Given Real Madrid’s current form, they are the clear favourites to win this fixture. But Cadiz will be determined to cause an upset and take advantage of any complacency on the part of the visitors. It will be interesting to see how the match unfolds. But ultimately, Real Madrid’s superior quality and experience should see them emerge victorious. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the visitors.
