Atl. Madrid – Cadiz CF : Preview & Prediction
There is no longer any doubt about Diego Pablo Simeone’s continuity at the helm of Atletico Madrid, one of the European clubs currently in the best form. The rojiblancos, who thrashed Valladolid at the José Zorrilla after leading 3-1 at halftime (5-2) in the 32nd round of LaLiga Santander (LL), are, along with Newcastle United, one of two teams in Europe’s big five leagues to have eight wins in their championships between March and April.
After 32 matchdays, Atleti remains just two points behind Real Madrid in the battle for second place. The colchonero team is one step away from securing its participation in the next Champions League group stage, but Simeone’s side has ambitions to surpass the third place it occupied in LL 2021-22. In addition to higher revenues from TV rights, finishing in second place would give access to the Spanish Super Cup.
Cadiz, one of the two clubs in the bottom half of the table at the start of this matchday that have beaten Atleti in the current championship, visit the Metropolitano three days after achieving a vital victory for their salvation. In the first round, the Yellows beat Los Rojiblancos 3-2 at the Nuevo Mirandilla (3-2, Round 12), and while that was their only league win in a run of nine matches, it has helped Sergio González’s side head into Round 33 with a four-point cushion over the relegation zone.
Cadiz’s three points against Valencia last Sunday (2-1) was a huge step towards relegation, and the Yellows should arrive at the Metropolitano full of confidence after a run of four clean sheets (G1, E3). During that streak, Cadiz have achieved positive results at two such tricky grounds as the Benito Villamarin (Betis 0-2 CAD) and the Reale Arena (Real Sociedad 0-0 CAD), something undoubtedly encouraging considering they previously lost in seven of eight league visits (E1, P7) to clubs ahead of them in the table going into this matchday’s fixture.
Players to watch: Argentine defender Nahuel Molina has opened the scoring in two of Atleti’s last three away games in LL. Notably, five of his last six goals for any club have broken 0-0 starts. For his part, Álex Fernández scored one of his three goals in the current campaign against Atleti, all scored beyond the 30th minute.
Serie A highlight: In Cadiz’s last 12 games at LL, the away side have gone into halftime goalless.
Atl. Madrid – Cadiz CF : Betting Tips
Atl. Madrid – Win Odds: 1.30
