Two teams that have made encouraging starts to the new La Liga season will lock horns on Saturday afternoon, with Athletic Bilbao welcoming Cadiz to San Mames.
Athletic are fifth in the table, collecting seven points from their opening four matches of the 2023-24 campaign, while Cadiz occupy sixth, also on seven points from their first four games of the season.
Match preview
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Athletic finished eighth in La Liga last season, two points behind seventh-placed Osasuna, and the Basque outfit will certainly have their eyes on a European spot during the 2023-24 campaign.
The Lions have made a solid start to the new season, collecting seven points from their first four matches, which is currently enough for fifth spot in the table, five points behind leaders Real Madrid, who are the only team still with a 100% record in La Liga this term.
Athletic lost 2-0 to Real Madrid in their season opener but responded by beating Osasuna and Real Betis, before playing out a goalless draw with Mallorca before the international break.
Ernesto Valverde's side have won their last three La Liga games against Cadiz, scoring eight times in their two successes over the team during the 2022-23 campaign.
However, Cadiz have two recent San Mames victories to their name, recording 1-0 wins at the famous stadium during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 campaigns.
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Cadiz's battle to avoid relegation from Spain's top flight went to the final matchday of last season, but they ultimately finished 14th in the table, two points clear of the relegation zone.
The Yellow Submarine recorded a 1-0 win over Alaves in their first match of the 2023-24 campaign before suffering a 2-0 defeat away to Barcelona.
Sergio Gonzalez's side have picked up four points from their last two games, though, drawing 1-1 with Almeria at the end of August before beating Villarreal 3-1 last time out.
Chris Ramos was on the scoresheet before Darwin Machis netted twice, with the hosts securing all three points against Villarreal, who sacked their manager Quique Setien in the aftermath of the defeat.
Cadiz are in their fourth straight season at this level, which is their best run since the early 1990s, so it is currently a very successful period in the club's history.
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Team News
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Athletic remain without the services of Oscar de Marcos, Peru Nolaskoain and Yeray Alvarez for this weekend's match due to fitness problems.
The bulk of the side that started the goalless draw with Mallorca last time out are again expected to feature in the first XI, although there could be a change in central midfield, with Dani Garcia potentially coming in for Mikel Vesga.
Unai Simon and Nico Williams were both in action for Spain during the international break, and the pair will again be starters in this match, while Gorka Guruzeta is set to continue in the centre-forward role.
Cadiz could be missing as many as six players, with Fede San Emeterio, Jorge Mere, Victor Chust, Sergi Guardiola, Juan Cala and Brian Ocampo all likely to be unavailable through injury.
Head coach Sergio would have been delighted with his team's performance against Villarreal before the international break, so it might be a case of same again in terms of the selection.
Ramos should again be joined by Roger in the final third of the field, with Machis and Ivan Alejo operating in the wide areas; Ruben Alcaraz is also set to retain his position in central midfield.
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; Lekue, Vivian, Paredes, Yuri; Ruiz de Galaretta, D Garcia; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Guruzeta
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Carcelen, L Hernandez, Fali, J Hernandez; Alejo, Alcaraz, Escalante, Machis; Roger, Ramos
We say: Athletic Bilbao 2-1 Cadiz
Cadiz deserve huge credit for their solid start to the season, but Athletic will be the favourites here on home soil. Inaki Williams and Nico Williams could cause serious problems to the away side, and we are backing the Basque outfit to navigate their way to all three points at San Mames.
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