Match Previews

Barcelona vs Cadiz: Match preview, predicted lineups, key stats, prediction

Published

5 years ago

17/04/2022

Adithya Eshwarla

Photo by LLUIS GENE/AFP via Getty Images

Comment

Date and time: 19th April 2022, 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Camp Nou
Competition: La Liga
Referee: Santiago Jaime Later

Overview

Another name was added to Barcelona’s endless list of humiliating European exits on Thursday when Eintracht Frankfurt demolished Xavi’s side at Camp Nou.

Though the club was in the news for a ticketing scandal that saw Camp Nou in white, one cannot make any arguments in favour of the Blaugranes.

Defensively, the team seemed to be in ruins. In attack, the players seemed lost. Physically, mentally, technically, and psychologically, the Germans were far superior to Barcelona. Their win on the night was absolutely deserved.

To come back from a defeat of that magnitude is not easy, and Monday’s clash will be a reality check to test the mental strength of the player.

Next up for Barça, though, is Cadiz, a team in the relegation zone and in desperate need of a win to keep them alive. The hosts, on the other hand, have nothing much to play for apart from the top-four race.

What to expect from Barcelona?

Xavi has plenty of lineup problems to address before the weekend’s clash. Dani Alves and Gerard Pique are not completely fit, and Segino Dest is just returning from a major injury.

In midfield, Pedri is ruled out for the remainder of the season. In the final third, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s poor form is a large concern.

On the night, expect no changes in goal. Though Marc-Andre ter Stegen conceded three goals against Frankfurt, there was not much he could have done to them. The shot-stopper has been in good touch recently, and Xavi will reward him with continuity.

In defence, Clement Lenglet and Eric Garcia will likely be tasked with guarding the goal with Ronald Araujo suspended. Barcelona’s backline has conceded four penalties in the last two games. It is high time for them to wake up and smell the coffee.

Lenglet has a particularly poor record vs Cadiz. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Sergino Dest could return to his duties, but at left-back, given Alba’s. The USMNT star was on a positive run ahead of his injury, and the manager will look to give him a chance to get back on track, especially since Jordi Alba needs some much-needed rest.

Dani Alves is expected to continue at right-back after missing the midweek clash due to ineligibility.

In midfield, Gavi should take the place of Pedri. The 17-year old will look to help progress the ball to higher areas alongside Frenkie de Jong, who might be pulling strings from CDM. Nico Gonzalez will be the third and final presence in midfield.

Ousmane Dembele could start against Cadiz on the right-wing given his recent form, but Ferran Torres and Aubameyang are likely to be rested, with Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong replacing them at left-wing and centre-forward respectively.

Predicted Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Alves, Garcia, Lenglet, Dest; Gavi, de Jong, Nico; Dembele, Luuk, Memphis

What to expect from Cadiz?

Sergio’s team have no room for error at this point in the season. A single slip up could confirm their relegation. However, they have a game in hand over 17th placed Mallorca, and a win tomorrow will see them climb out of the bottom three.

Jeremias Ledesma is expected to start in goal on the night after a poor outing against Real Betis. His goal will be guarded by the centre-back pairing of Victor Chust and Luis Hernandez.

Deployed at the left-back position will be Alfonso Espino who has two goals and as many assists in La Liga this season. Carlos Akapo will likely be the right-back in Sergio’s team and go head to head against Memphis Depay.

Akapo did a good job vs Memphis in the reverse fixture. (Photo by CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images)

Cadiz have stuck to a 4-4-2 for most of their games this season, and the trend is expected to continue.

Jose Mari and Fede San Emeterio are predicted start as the double pivot and look to dictate the proceedings at Camp Nou. Odds suggest that will be assisted by Oussama Idrissi and Ivan Alejo on the left and right wings.

In attack, Sergio will deploy two players who have a combined eight goals and three assists between them. Alvaro Negredo will start on the right side of the final third, with Lucas Perez covering the opposite side.

Possible Cadiz lineup: Ledesma; Akapo, Hernandez, Chust, Espino; Alejo, Emeterio, Mari, Idrissi; Perez, Negredo

Marquee player

Alvaro Negredo

Can Negredo show up against Barcelona? (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

At 36 years of age, Negredo continues to be one of Cadiz’s most reliable and vital players. The Spaniard has scored six goals so far in La Liga 2021/22, including an equaliser against Atletico Madrid earlier this season.

In recent games, the forward had been in good touch. Though not statistically evident, his movements off the ball, runs into the box and link-up play facilitate the team’s attack and potentiate the verticality.

Match facts

Barcelona previous games: WWDWL

Cadiz previous games: WLWDL

Head to head record

Key Stats

Cadiz are unbeaten against Barcelona since being promoted to La Liga last season. (2D, 1L)
The last time Barcelona scored more than one goal against Cadiz was in 2005.
Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 15 La Liga games. (11W, 4D)
Barcelona are without a clean sheet in their last three games.
Cadiz have the best defensive record of the bottom five, conceding 43 goals.

Prediction

The result will depend upon which version of Barcelona walks out of the dressing room on Monday. If the team that walk out are unphased by the midweek disaster and ready to give it their all, the Catalans can hope for a comfortable victory.

Further, they will also have to hope their rotations – if at all – work, otherwise Xavi will have to, once again, look to his bench to salvage some points.

Barca Universal prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Cadiz

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