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

Huesca travel to Andalusia this weekend for their crunch-time La Liga clash with Cadiz at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza.

While Cadiz will certainly be up for the fight on Saturday, it is Pacheta's Huesca side that desperately need the win, with three points potentially hauling them into 16th place.

Match preview

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In the latest development of what is becoming known as the Great Huescape, Pacheta's men managed to get their survival plight back on track last time out with a shock 1-0 win against Real Sociedad.

In what was a tight affair - and one that did not necessarily get the blood running - Huesca emerged victorious thanks only to an 87th-minute own goal courtesy of Aritz Elustondo.

Regardless of the method, Huesca now find themselves on 30 points, level with Elche and just one behind Alaves and Real Valladolid.

However, Pacheta will not able to rely on serendipity alone, and the Burgos-born coach is likely to be concerned about the fact that his side have now not scored from open play in over 360 minutes of league football.

Yet, three points against Cadiz this weekend would certainly do wonders for Huesca's fight for survival.

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Cadiz's stellar La Liga campaign has plateaued in recent weeks, but Alvaro Cervera's are maintaining a high standard of football having picked up 11 points in their last seven games.

Andalusia's Yellow Submarine have also lost just two games in their last nine league outings, which speaks volumes about the team's defensive capabilities.

Against regional rivals Granada last time out, Cadiz emerged victorious, winning the tie 1-0, with Ruben Sobrino bagging the winner just before half time.

Cadiz are currently 12th in the standings, almost perfectly poised for a mid-table finish. A win this weekend could see them leapfrog Osasuna in 11th place.

Team News

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Pacheta will be forced to find replacements for both Jorge Pulido and Jaime Seoane, with both suspended for this tie.

Gaston Silva is likely to deputise for Pulido, while Idrissa Doumbia could replace Seoane in the starting 11.

The only other absentee for Huesca is Javier Ontiveros, who is out with a knock.

Cadiz will be without a host of first-team regulars, with Salvi, Alberto Perea and Alex all out due to injury.

Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Carcelen, Fali, Cala, Akapo; Salvi, Jonsson, Mari, Alejo; Negredo, Sobrino

Huesca possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Vavro, Silva, Siovas; Maffeo, Ferreiro, Doumbia, Rico, Galan; Mir, Sandro

We say: Cadiz 1-2 Huesca

At this stage of the season, teams with something to fight for are usually capable of turning up the heat when the going gets tough, and we think Huesca have what it takes to find a way past Cadiz on Saturday.