Cadiz vs Barcelona Preview, Livestream and Team News

A tale of two attacks

Cadiz are coming off the back of a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo, their first win of the season and it was much needed after a difficult start. They are without a win playing on home soil, losing both of their matches at the Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla.

It’s been a year of turmoil for The Blaugrana, the new board has come in, their greatest player has done the unthinkable and left for pastures new and they’ve also been hit by injuries on the attacking front. They’ve been incredibly average so far this campaign and it’s lead to rumours of manager Ronald Koeman’s departure.

Álvaro Cervera’s side have won just one of their last seven home games in La Liga but they will feel confident they can score against an unconvincing Barcelona side and perhaps spring a surprise. They’re averaging a goal a game at home this season and with Barcelona looking incredibly vulnerable defensively, Cadiz should be able to get on the scoreboard.

Koeman will be unable to call on Sergio Aguero, Ousmane Dembélé, Ansu Fati, Pedri, Jordi Alba or Martin Braithwaite for this one meaning that Luuk De Jong and Memphis Depay will likely lead the line.

Barca will be desperate for a win here to keep themselves in the mix at the top of the table; defeat could see them fall eight points adrift.

The visitors will always be a threat in front of goal, but defensively they are suspect. We’re expecting both teams to get on the scoresheet here.

Cadiz have a number of injury issues to deal with, as the likes of Jon Ander Garrido, Jose Mari, Alberto Perea and Carlos Akapo will all continue spells on the sidelines.

However, they will be boosted by the return of centre-back Cala from suspension, and he should slot straight back into the defensive line.

Anthony Lozano will continue to play a key role from the wing, while experienced forward Alvaro Negredo will be pushing for a return to the starting XI after being reduced to a substitute appearance last time out.

Barcelona also have a long list of absences to deal with, as the front line, in particular, has been hit badly, with strikers Sergio Aguero and Martin Braithwaite and wingers Ansu Fati and Ousmane Dembele all ruled out.

Given those absences, Memphis Depay will continue to lead the line following his summer move from Lyon, while Phillipe Coutinho and Yusuf Demir could again feature on the flanks.

Crucial midfielder Pedri will also miss out, leaving Sergi Roberto to complete the midfield trio alongside Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong, while Alejandro Balde pulled up injured after deputising for Jordi Alba on the left-hand side of a back four, leaving no fit senior left-backs in the squad.

Gerard Pique will be pushing for a return to the starting XI after coming off the bench last time out, but Ronald Araujo's late goal and impressive performance may be enough to keep him in the side.

Ledesma; Carcelen, Cala, Haroyan, Espino; Salvi, Fali, Alarcon, Jonsson, Lozano; Negredo

Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Araujo, Garcia, Dest; Roberto, Busquets, De Jong; Coutinho, Depay, Demir