Prediction: Cadiz vs Elche
Verdict: Cadiz win
Best Odds: 10/11
In what is a real showdown at the foot of the La Liga table on Monday night, Cadiz will welcome Elche to the Nuevo Mirandilla.
Cadiz
Starting with the hosts, while Cadiz might have clung to their La Liga status last season, Sergio Gonzalez’s men once again find themselves at the heart of another relegation scrap. However, although Los Piratas might currently sit two points adrift of finding a route out of the drop zone, the Andalusia-based outfit are showing some real signs of life. With it looking like the mood around the Nuevo Mirandilla is at a continued high, Cadiz were last seen opening 2023 with a stellar display on the road. Eventually claiming an eye-catching 1-0 win away at Valencia, the one-time Espanyol boss will be demanding a repeat performance here. In fact, aside from a 2-1 loss at the hands of defending champions Real Madrid when heading into the World Cup’s winter break, that is the only La Liga defeat that Monday’s hosts have suffered from their previous five appearances.
Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury, Cadiz will once again be without 35-year-old Jose Mari on Monday night.
Los Piratas are also sweating over the fitness of David Gil, Juan Cala, Victor Chust, Jon Ander Garrido and Joseba Zaldua here.
Elche
As for the visitors, last seen on La Liga duties putting in another toothless display as they were hit with a 1-0 loss at home against Celta Vigo, Elche are enduring a domestic nightmare display season. Sat rock-bottom of the table and freefalling towards a Segunda return, Pablo Machin’s side have remarkably put just four points on the board from their 16 top-flight appearances. While the Whites might have only appointed the one-time Sevilla boss back in November, there is already a huge amount of pressure on the 47-year-old’s shoulders. Knowing that they should face another tough test on Monday night, Elche have now lost each of their last five La Liga matchups on the bounce by an aggregate score of 8-2. In fact, it should also be noted, the Alicante-based outfit are yet to claim a single top-flight victory so far this season.
Team News
Yet to make a single appearance since opening 2023, Elche will once again be without the likes of Alex Collado, Josan, John Donald and Jony Alamo.
32-year-old Pedro Bigas will also miss out here as the defender serves a one-match suspension.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Cadiz last welcomed Elche to the Nuevo Mirandilla back in May, they claimed a 3-0 victory.
- Likewise, Monday’s hosts have lost just a pair of their last 11 La Liga matchups – a run that stems all the way back to September 10th.
- Los Piratas are unbeaten in each of their last five La Liga matchups on home soil.
- Elche have remarkably collected just four points from their 16 La Liga appearances this season.
- Monday’s guests have lost each of their last five top-flight matchups by an aggregate score of 8-2.
Conclusion
Putting in another eye-catching display earlier in the month as they claimed a 1-0 victory away at Valencia, Cadiz appear to be riding quite the wave of momentum. Smelling a golden chance to skyrocket their way out of the relegation zone here, Monday’s hosts have lost just a pair of their last 11 straight La Liga matchups. With that high-flying run stemming all the way back to September 10th, Los Piratas will be looking to lay down another marker at the Nuevo Mirandilla. Hosting an Elche side who are yet to put a single La Liga victory on the board so far this season, a home win on Monday night can be found at appealing odds.
Verdict: Cadiz win
Best Odds: 10/11
