Preview: Cadiz vs. Eibar - prediction, team news, lineups

Saturday afternoon will see a proper relegation six-pointer when Cadiz and Eibar battle it out in La Liga at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza.

Having either lost or drawn against almost all their relegation rivals in recent weeks, this fixture represents Eibar's last real opportunity for a straightforward three points before the tougher fixtures start coming thick and fast.

Match preview

© Reuters

It has been a strange campaign for La Liga new boys Cadiz who, despite pulling off some big wins earlier in the season, now find themselves in 15th place and skidding ever closer to the dreaded relegation zone.

Just one point from the team's last seven games has swiftly undone much of the good that Alvaro Cervera's men achieved earlier on in the season.

Last time out against Real Betis, Cadiz were beaten 1-0 thanks to a late winner by Betis marksman Juanmi.

After the match, Cervera told the press: "The game was more or less the one we imagined... But we continue to have a big problem with the ball."

Needless to say, against Eibar, Cervera's men will need to rectify their deficiencies in order to come away with those crucial points.

© Reuters

The fact that Eibar boss Jose Luis Mendilibar is still in charge of the club even after Los Armeros failed to beat Huesca, Elche, Real Valladolid and Osasuna in recent weeks is perhaps a testament to how much the club still value him.

However, the decision to retain Mendilibar's services may also prove to be the club's greatest mistake if Eibar are indeed relegated this season.

Currently 17th in the standings, Eibar could find themselves rock bottom if results do not go their way this weekend.

Last time out in the league, Mendilibar's men battled it out to a 1-1 draw against bottom-of-the-league Huesca. In what was a poor match on the whole, both goals came in the last 10 minutes of the 90.

Eibar will have to seriously up the ante if they want to come away from Andalusia with more to show for their efforts.

Cadiz La Liga form: LLLLDL

Eibar La Liga form: DLLDLD

Team News

© Reuters

Cervera has had to weather a couple of injury crises this season and the team are still without a number of squad players ahead of this tie.

Fali, Matias Fernandez and Carlos Akapo are all currently out with injuries.

Mendilibar has fewer injury concerns to contend with, but his squad is not fully fit.

Defenders Pedro Bigas and Rober are both currently out with muscular injuries.

Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Carcelen, Cala, Mauro, Espino; Salvi, Jon Garrido, Alex, Perea; Negredo, Sobrino

Eibar possible starting lineup:
Yoel; Pozo, Oliveira, Bigas, Angel; Leon, Diop, Exposito, Gil; Enrich, Kike

We say: Cadiz 1-1 Eibar

These are two of La Liga's most out-of-form teams and it is difficult to expect any other outcome than a stalemate. We think these two sides will huff and puff for 90 minutes and eventually settle for a point.