Cadiz - Barcelona predictions and free betting tips [13/04/2024]

On Saturday, 13 April as part of the 31st round of the Spanish Primera, Cadiz will host Barcelona. Xavi's team will take the field following a hard-fought 2:3 victory over PSG in the first quarter-final match of the Champions League, while the "pirates" beat Granada (1:0) last weekend. 

Cadiz

Cadiz needs to double their efforts to secure points in the final rounds of the season to avoid relegation to Segunda. The "Pirate Ship", trailing Celta by three points, will find it tough, but the hosts are determined to seize their chance. In the last round, they claimed a crucial 1:0 victory over Granada, who sit 19th in the table. Before this victory, the Andalusians lost to Real Sociedad (2:0) and went three matches undefeated, including a sensational triumph over Atletico Madrid at home (2:0). The yellow-blues have had their best run in Spanish football's elite since the early 1990s. It's important to note their home performance is decent: 19 points from 15 home meetings (15th in the division), 14 goals scored, 17 conceded.

The team's schedule in the coming weeks doesn't favour a move up the table: after the duel with Barça, away matches against Girona and Real Madrid await. This Saturday's squad will lack striker Gomez (24 matches, 0 goals), Luis Hernandez and Fede San Emeterio (sidelined for the season due to cruciate ligament rupture); Cuame is still recovering from a muscle strain. However, the team's most prolific players, Chris Ramos (5 goals) and Darwin Machis (4 goals), will take part in the match and spearhead the attack. Manager Pellegrino is likely to choose the same line-up as in the last round, so Alex Fernandez will be in the left-defense flank.

Barcelona

The reigning Spanish champions met PSG in the French capital for the first quarter-final of the Champions League this week, securing a dramatic 2:3 victory. Rafinha put the Blaugrana ahead at the end of the first half, but efforts from Dembele and Vitinho put PSG ahead 51 minutes in; however, just 10 minutes later the Brazilian winger scored a second goal, and substitute Kristensen secured the final scoreline. As a result, the Blaugrana extended their 12-game unbeaten run in all competitions, featuring nine wins and three draws. In LaLiga, the Catalans still hold second place, eight points behind Real Madrid. Barça boasts the second-best away record in LaLiga this season, accumulating 30 points from 14 matches outside the Camp Nou.

Last round, Xavi's men narrowly overcame Las Palmas (1:0), and prior to the international break, they thrashed Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano (0:3). Good news for the coaching staff is the return of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong; however, three key players will be absent on Saturday evening due to suspension – Lewandowski (13 goals, 8 assists in LaLiga), defenders Cancelo and Iñigo Martinez. Left back Balde and youngster Gavi are still injured, while Christensen is back to full strength and expected to start. Lamine Yamal (4 league goals, 3 goals), Portuguese Felix (6 goals, 3 assists), Brazilian Rafinha (5 goals, 7 assists), playmaker Gundogan (5 goals, 6 assists), and striker Ferran Torres (7 goals) will be responsible for creativity in the attack.

Head-to-Head

Barcelona has won the last three head-to-head against Cadiz, including the first leg, without conceding a goal (2:0). 

Prediction for the match Cadiz – Barcelona

Cadiz is more than capable of causing trouble for Barcelona, especially considering the Catalans physical strain after last week's energy-consuming clash in Paris. Nevertheless, Xavi's extensive bench allows for efficient rotation, and the in-form attack of the Blaugrana will likely determine the fixture outcome in favour of the favourites. My prediction - Barça to win by 1-2 goals.