![Cadiz, back in La Liga for the first time since 2006, have picked up some big scalps](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 768 576"></svg>)
Promoted side Cadiz will be looking to continue their unbeaten start to the new year when Alaves come to the Estadio Ramón de Carranza for their next La Liga fixture.
Back in the top-flight after 14 years, the Yellow Submarine have managed to avoid the relegation scramble so far. Villarreal are 10th in the standings with 20 points from 17 games.
The biggest highlight of their campaign has undoubtedly been the stunning defeats of La Liga behemoths Real Madrid and Barcelona. In doing so, Cadiz have become the first-ever promoted side to pull off such a feat.
However, they've failed to win any of the five games since winning against the Blaugrana at the start of last month. They lost three in a row and then drew twice.
In the process, they've also scored just once - in the 1-1 draw against Valencia in their first game of 2021. Alaves might feel confident after seeing this, even as they continue to struggle themselves.
El Glorioso, languishing in 14th position in the table, have won just four times in 17 games, and only once in the last five.
Cadiz vs Alaves Head-To-Head
As these two sides have only spent a few seasons in the top-flight, there have been just 10 games between them in La Liga. Cadiz and Alaves have won twice each.
However, the upcoming clash will be their first since February 2008, when they met in the Seguna Division and Cadiz ran out 2-0 victors.
Cadiz Form Guide (all competitions): L-L-D-D-D
Alaves Form Guide (all competitions): L-W-D-L-W
Cadiz vs Alaves Team News
Cadiz
The Andalusian side will be without Luismi Quezada and Augusto Fernandez, as both are struggling with injuries. Sergio Gonzalez and Salvi Sanchez have tested positive for COVID-19 and will remain in isolation.
Injured: Luismi Quezada and Augusto Fernandez
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Sergio Gonzalez and Salvi Sanchez
Alaves
Pablo Machin will be missing Rodrigo Ely and Pere Pons, as they are yet to fully recover from injuries. However, experienced midfielder Tomas Pina is available again after serving his one-match ban.
Injured: Rodrigo Ely and Pere Pons
Suspended: None
Unavailable: None
Cadiz vs Alaves Predicted XI
Cadiz (4-4-2): Jeremias Ledesma; Iza Carcelen, Marcos Mauro, Juan Cala, Alfonso Espino; Alex Fernandez, Jens Jonsson, Rafael Gimenez, Alberto Perea; Choco Lozano, Alvaro Negredo
Alaves (4-4-2): Fernando Pacheco; Ximo Navarro, Victor Laguardia, Florian Lejeune, Ruben Duarte; Edgar Mendez, Rodrigo Battaglia, Manu Garcia, Luis Rioja; Joselu, Lucas Perez
Cadiz vs Alaves Prediction
Cadiz are capable of making life difficult for any opponent on their day. Just ask Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, and Granada, all of whom have dropped points against them.
None of those sides managed to score more than once either. However, given their more recent form, we expect this to be a dour stalemate.
Prediction: Cadiz 1-1 Alaves
Published 08 Jan 2021, 20:45 IST