Villareal will be looking to win their second game in a row when they host Cadiz in the La Liga. The Yellow Submarines come into this game coming off a 5-3 triumph at Barcelona, while Cadiz’s most recent football encounter at this level ended in a goalless draw with Athletic Bilbao.
Preview (Villarreal vs. Cadiz)
The fact that Villarreal is now lying in 14th place in the rankings with 23 points indicates that their 2023–24 La Liga campaign has been dismal. It will require a tremendous effort on the part of the Yellow Submarine to get into European contention in Spain’s first division, as they are now roughly 24 points outside of the top four and 13 points outside of the top six. Though their best chance of ensuring European football for the upcoming season is through the Europa League knockout stage. Villarreal will be hoping that their victory over Barcelona last weekend will serve as a springboard in La Liga.
Winning will be Pellegrino’s focus in the upcoming weeks, but a draw with a team aiming for a Champions League spot will also count as a win. El Submarino Amarillo, in 18th place, is only one point behind Celta Vigo in 17th place. They are currently in the relegation zone. With just 15 goals this season, Cadiz is by far the lowest goal scorer in Spain’s top division. However, on the day of the transfer deadline, they signed gifted attacker Juanmi on loan from Real Betis. They will be hoping that he can turn things around.
With just four points from 11 games, the Andalusian team has the third-worst away record in La Liga this season. However, Villarreal has also had difficulty at home, winning just three of their 11 games played. Ironically, Cadiz’s 3-1 home victory over Villarreal at the beginning of September marked their first victory.
Team News
Villarreal might sign a new player. The 28-year-old Bertrand Traore, who left Aston Villa to join Marcelino’s team, is a candidate for this game. However, the Yellow Submarine is still without several players due to injuries, including Dennis Suarez, Alfonso Pedraza, Ramon Terrats, Dani Parejo, Rafael Albiol, Juan Foyth, Yemmy Pino, and Alfonso Pedraza. Goncalo Guedes is a candidate to start after his great performance against Barcelona. He could have to settle for a supporting position once more given the impressive play of Alexander Sorloth, Gerard Moreno, Alexandra Akhomach, and Ilias Akhomach against the champions.
Regarding Cadiz, injury concerns will prevent him from playing, as will Fede San Emeterio, Luis Hernandez, Rafael Hernandez, Darwin Machis, and Roger Marti. Fali and Ruben Alcaraz, on the other hand, received milestone yellow cards. They will not be eligible for selection. After joining from Real Betis, Juanmi is expected to play, and on deadline day, Aiham Ousou joined the team from Slavia Prague; he may also be included in the starting lineup.
Villarreal 1-0 Cadiz
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