Cádiz CF (18th, 25pts) vs FC Barcelona (2nd, 67pts)*
*Standings at the time of writing on Friday
Competition/Round: 2023-24 La Liga, Matchday 31
Barcelona Outs & Doubts: Robert Lewandowski, João Cancelo, Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Iñigo Martínez (out)
Cádiz Outs & Doubts: Darwin Machís, Luis Hernández, Fede San Emeterio, Maxi Gómez, Rominigue Kouamé (out), José Mari (doubt)
Date/Time: Saturday, April 13, 2024, 9pm CET (Barcelona), 8pm BST/WAT (UK & Nigeria), 3pm ET, 12pm PT (USA), 12.30am IST (India, Sunday)
Venue: Estadio Nuevo Mirandilla, Cádiz, Spain
Referee: Juan Luis Pulido Santana
VAR: Francisco Hernández Maeso
How to watch on TV: ESPN Deportes (USA), SuperSport (Nigeria), Sports18 (India), Movistar (Spain), others
How to watch online: ESPN+ (USA), LaLigaTV (UK), Movistar+ (Spain), others
Following a memorable win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in midweek, Barcelona return to La Liga action with a visit to beautiful Andalusia for a game against struggling Cádiz at the Nuevo Mirandilla on Saturday Night Fútbol.
Barça come into this one after an epic comeback in the French capital to set up a fantastic second leg with a spot in the European semi-finals on the line next Tuesday, and five days after that there is a gigantic El Clásico at the Santiago Bernabéu with potential title implications.
But next week cannot be as important as it looks right now without a win this weekend. A shock defeat or even a draw against Cádiz will effectively end the title race, but a victory will ensure Barça can reignite the championship fight with a win over Real Madrid next Sunday.
This is a very tricky game, one of those nobody really wants to play considering just how crucial the following matches are. Everyone associated with Barça is thinking about PSG and Madrid, but the Blaugrana really need to win this one first and must be fully focused on Cádiz to continue the good form before deciding their entire season next week.
There is also the selection headache Xavi is facing considering the suspensions to Robert Lewandowski and João Cancelo as well as the need to rest a few key starters for next week, so putting together a competitive team that can win while also making sure the best players are fully fit for Tuesday is not an easy task.
Rotations are expected and Xavi will give minutes to youngsters and fringe players, and those who get a rare chance must take advantage to perhaps earn some minutes in the more decisive matches. Cádiz always cause Barça problems and the games between the two are always low-scoring thanks to their well-organized defense, and the hosts also badly need a result in their fight against relegation.
They are the only team out of the three in the drop zone with a realistic shot at survival, and an upset over the mighty Blaugrana would be a major boost of confidence for the Andalusians. They’re in good form having lost just one of the last five and beat Atlético Madrid at home last month, so they absolutely cannot be taken for granted.
Cádiz is always tough, especially away, and Barça cannot fall for the trap of thinking they’ll have it easy against a relegation candidate. Next week is huge, yes, but it won’t mean much without a win in this one. The rotations will mean a lack of familiarity and cohesion, but there’s more than enough talent to get a victory if the team has the correct attitude from the start.
Let’s dance.
POSSIBLE LINEUPS
Barcelona (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Fort, Araujo, Christensen, Alonso; Fermín, Roberto, De Jong; Ferran, Roque, Félix
Cádiz (4-4-2): Ledesma; Carcelén, Fali, Chust, Hernández; Navarro, Fernández, Alcaraz, Sobrino; Ramos, Juanmi
PREDICTION
This is a classic trap game before a monster week, especially considering all the rotations. I don’t expect Barça to play very well, but I’m still couting on them to get the job done: 2-1 to the good guys.