Cadiz CF – Osasuna : Preview & Prediction
The return of Víctor Chust last weekend was great news for Cádiz, immersed in the fight for permanence in LaLiga Santander (LL). Unfortunately for Sergio Gonzalez’s side, Chust’s reappearance in the 0-0 draw against Espanyol coincided with a muscular injury to Fali, a key player in the defense of the yellow team, who had to withdraw after playing less than 20 minutes at the RCDE Stadium. A new and important setback for Sergio in the final stretch of the championship.
Chust is back, and Cádiz has lost only one of the last eight league matches in which the Valencian center back, trained in the Real Madrid youth academy, has played minutes (G2, E5, P1). This Tuesday, the Yellows will be looking to end a worrying run of three games without a home win (E1, P2), with two goals conceded in each of them and none scored in the two most recent ones.
Facing them is Copa del Rey finalist Osasuna, and the precedents are not at all flattering for the home side: Osasuna have won 11 of their 13 previous meetings against Cadiz in all competitions (G11, E1, P1). The Navarrese side, six points out of the European zone, visit the Tacita de Plata having managed just two wins in their last ten league outings (G2, E5, P3).
Osasuna is finding it hard to win on home soil, but they have proven to be a tough team to beat; Jagoba Arrasate’s squad has drawn more away matches (seven) than any other team in the current championship. The rojillos face their sixteenth outing of the league campaign after taking the three points against Betis on Saturday (OSA 3-2 BET), a victory “that with 41 points leaves us virtually saved with eight games to go, and we have to give it value,” said Arrasate. Osasuna can finish in the top half of the table for the third time in four seasons.
Players to watch: Yellow midfielder Fede San Emeterio has been on the winning side in three of his five career home games against Osasuna (G3, E1, P1), a good record that could get worse if Ante Budimir is once again fine in front of goal. Budimir scored a blistering brace against Betis, and Osasuna has lost just two of the last 12 games in which the Croatian striker has scored (G7, E3, P2).
Key stat: There has been just one goal in the opening 15 minutes of Osasuna’s away games in LL this season, the lowest figure so far in the league.
Cadiz CF – Osasuna : Betting Tips
Cadiz CF – Win Odds: 2.25
