Real Madrid will look to build on their ten-match unbeaten run in all competitions when they hit the road to square up against Cadiz.
Cadiz will look to end their winless streak when they go up against Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at home. The team in white have been on a dominating run, and the home team will try their best to stop them in their tracks when the two meet on Sunday.
The home team are currently 16th in the league, and they look all set for a long and intense relegation battle. Cadiz have only won two out of their 12 matches and have accumulated only ten points so far. They have suffered defeat on six occasions and four of those defeats have come in their last five games.
Their last outing in the league was a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Getafe before the international break. They were not able to create enough chances and ended up on the losing side. They have not won once in their last five league outings and will look to end that streak when they face Madrid at home.
Meanwhile, Los Blancos have had a great start to the new season. They have only lost once so far and are currently second on the points table with 32 points out of their 13 matches. They are just two points behind league leaders Girona and will look to maintain the pressure with their 11th win of the season.
In their last outing before the international break, Real Madrid smashed Valencia 5-1. It was a dominant display by the team in white as Vinicius and Rodrygo both scored a brace. The visitors will look for a similar performance, but it won’t be that easy as they will be without quite a few first-team players. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could use.
Team News & Tactics
Cadiz
The home team will be without the services of Rominigue Kouame, Fali and Brian Ocampo. Meanwhile, Luis Hernandez and Fede San Emeterio’s availability is doubtful. Cadiz do have a boost as Ivan Alejo and Ruben Sobrino are back after serving their suspension.
⚽️ How about celebrating sunday again?@Chris_Ramos11 #ThisIsCádiz pic.twitter.com/14yuDlQ9Ua
— Cádiz CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@Cadiz_CFEN) November 24, 2023
Jeremias Ledesma will take charge in goal as the home team will line up in a 4-4-2 formation. Isaac Carcelen and Lucas Pires will be the full-backs. They will look to ensure the Real Madrid wingers are kept in check.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the defence, Victor Chust will pair up with Javi Hernandez. The defence will look to keep a clean sheet against a star-studded defence. Ivan Alejo and Ruben Sobrino will start out wide on the flanks in the centre of the park. They will look to provide width to their attacks and also help out their full-backs when needed.
Ruben Alcaraz will pair up with Gonzalo Escalante in the centre of the park. The duo will look to control ball possession and dictate the pace of the games. In attack, Darwin Machis will have the support of Roger Marti. The duo will look to score against the best defence in the league.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Ledesma; Carcelen, Chust, J Hernandez, Pires; Sobrino, Escalante, Alcaraz, Alejo; Machis, Roger
Real Madrid
Real Madrid suffered two huge blows during the international break as Eduardo Camavinga and Vinicius Junior picked up serious injuries. The duo will be out for a while now, and they have joined Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Thibaut Courtois, and Eder Militao on the sidelines.
🏃 Running towards the weekend like…
🪄 @LukaModric10 pic.twitter.com/niQAstZca8— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 24, 2023
Meanwhile, Rodrygo also picked up a knock, but he is expected to be back in time for this fixture. Carlo Ancelotti will most likely stick to the 4-4-2 formation, with a diamond in the centre of the park. Kepa Arrizabalaga has returned to training, but he might not be risked for this fixture and Andriy Lunin is expected to be in goal.
Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy will be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Antonio Rudiger will pair up with David Alaba. Real Madrid have the best defence in the league, and the back four will look to continue in a similar fashion.
Toni Kroos will be the defensive midfielder. He will have the support of Federico Valverde and Luka Modric in the centre of the park. Jude Bellingham will return to the starting XI and will feature as the attacking midfielder. With Vinicius out injured, Brahim Diaz could start in this fixture. Rodrygo will most likely switch to the left side while Diaz will take charge on the right.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Lunin; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Modric; Bellingham; Diaz, Rodrygo
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have won four out of the last five away matches against Cadiz.
- The home team have avoided defeat in four out of the last nine encounters between the two teams.
- Real Madrid have the best defence in the league having conceded just 9 goals so far.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s team came out on top in both home and away matches last season (2-1 at home and 2-0 away).
- Cadiz do not have that great a record in front of goal having scored just 10 goals so far. They are the lowest-scoring team in the division.
Player to Watch
Brahim Diaz
Since returning to Real Madrid in the summer, Diaz has featured in 11 matches, but he has been on the pitch for just 264 minutes. Despite getting limited game time, he has managed to impress people at the club and has even contributed with two goals.
The 24-year-old is all set to have an extended run in the team with Vinicius out injured. He is expected to start against Cadiz and if he does get his opportunity, the Spanish international will be eager to leave his mark. As a result, he is the man to watch out for.
Prediction
Cadiz 0-2 Real Madrid
Real Madrid have been unbeaten in their last five league matches, and they will look to continue in a similar fashion when they square up against Cadiz. They might have quite a few star players out injured, but they still have enough depth to go past the home team.
Meanwhile, Cadiz have not won any of their last five league games. They have suffered four defeats and have played out a draw. Nothing has gone right for them but, they are expected to put up a fight against Los Blancos. However, it might not be enough. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the visitors.
