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

Two La Liga teams battling at the wrong end of the table will face off on Sunday afternoon, as Elche welcome Cadiz to the Manuel Martinez Valero.

The hosts have only won one of their seven league matches on home soil so far this season, while the visitors have lost three of their last five on the road, conceding 12 goals in the process.

Match preview

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After a run of seven La Liga matches without a win, Elche were able to enjoy success in the first round of the Copa de Rey when they beat third division outfit Leioa 2-0 on Thursday, thanks to a brace from Guido Carrillo.

Newly-appointed head coach Francisco – who replaced Fran Escriba last week – got off to a winning start in the dugout, and the 43-year-old will now be looking to turn his new side's fortunes around in the top flight, as they aim to climb away from the bottom three.

Los Franjiverdes, who narrowly survived relegation last season by finishing 17th, currently occupy the same position this term, with only goal difference separating them from Sunday's opponents Cadiz in the relegation zone.

Elche have failed to win any of their last three home games in La Liga – losing the last two – and have conceded at least twice on each occasion; the last time that they lost three top-flight matches in a row on home soil was in October 2014.

Francisco's side, however, can be confident of success this weekend, as they are unbeaten in each of their last five meetings against Cadiz, including a 3-1 away victory in their most recent encounter in May.

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Cadiz secured one of the biggest victory in the first round of this season's Copa del Rey when they thrashed fifth division outfit Villa Fortuna 7-0 on Thursday.

A hat-trick from former Manchester City and Sevilla forward Alvaro Negredo, as well as strikes from Alvaro Jimenez, Marco Mauro, Martin Calderon and Milutin Osmajic helped the visitors cruise into the second round, where they will face Segunda Division side Albacete in just under two weeks' time.

Prior to their cup success, Cadiz had suffered heavy 4-0 and 4-1 league defeats against Getafe and Atletico Madrid respectively, which have seen them drop into the relegation zone.

The Pirates have won only two of their 15 La Liga matches this season and have conceded 27 goals – their second highest tally at this stage in the competition's history since 1977-78.

Alvaro Cervera have performed much better away from home this term, accumulating eight of their 12 points on the road, four of which have been claimed in their last three matches.

Cadiz, however, have won only one of their last 12 away games against Elche across all competitions, and will be in for a challenging contest once again this weekend.

Team News

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Elche will be without centre-back Pedro Bigas due to a muscle injury, with Diego Gonzalez the most likely candidate to start alongside Enzo Roco in the back four.

Creative midfielder Javier Pastore and left-back Josema are both doubtful with knocks and will be assessed ahead of kickoff to see if they can feature this weekend.

Former Real Madrid and Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has been dropped for the last three league games and could miss out once again as Edgar Badia is set to remain between the sticks.

As for Cadiz, midfield trio Jon Ander Garrido (tendon), Jose Mari (hamstring) and Tomas Alarcon (muscle) are all ruled out with injuries.

The visitors can, however, welcome Martin Calderon back from injury and the 22-year-old midfielder will be in contention to start his first game of the season.

After being benched in the league defeat to Atletico Madrid, Negredo will be hoping that he can force his way back into the first XI ahead of Anthony Lozano.

Elche possible starting lineup:
Badia; Palacios, Gonzalez, Roco, Mojica; Morente, Mascarell, Marcone, Fidel; Perez, Boye

Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Iza, Haroyan, Cala, Espino; Sanchez, Fernandez, Jonsson, Perea; Sobrino, Negredo

We say: Elche 1-1 Cadiz

Both Elche and Cadiz will view Sunday's fixture as a winnable game in their quest to move away from the relegation zone.

However, with little to separate these two struggling sides, a score draw could be on the cards at the Manuel Martinez Valero.

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