Atletico Madrid suffered a disappointing 1-1 draw in the Champions League on Tuesday night in Russia versus Lokomotiv Moscow. Now, Diego Simeone’s team turn their attention back to La Liga play as Cadiz arrive at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. Saturday’s match is a battle of two top-five clubs in La Liga as Cadiz have started the campaign surprisingly well.
Cadiz are playing in their first La Liga season in over a decade. The club were in the wilderness of Spanish football for years and now are back playing with the big boys of Spain. How good have Cadiz been this season? Cadiz went to the capital already and defeated Real Madrid 1-0 in a shock win.
Manager Alvaro Cervera’s team are on a five-match unbeaten streak. Three of those five games finished in wins for the Yellow Submarine. Cadiz have taken 14 points from 24 possible, scoring eight goals and allowing six to opponents. Cervera’s team have been defensively sound and it is their ability to keep teams from scoring that has them in fifth place.
Atletico Madrid are the only team in La Liga not to lose this season. However, Los Colchoneros are still only in fourth place with 14 points. They have played two fewer games than Cadiz and have two games in hand. Atletico Madrid have allowed a league-low two goals to opponents.
Atletico Madrid vs Cadiz Betting Odds
Atletico Madrid are the defensive masters of La Liga. Just two goals in six games have been allowed. The problem is, Atletico Madrid still have issues scoring goals in the league. Although 13 goals have been registered across six games, six of those goals came on opening day in a 6-1 win versus Granada. They tallied eight further goals in five games.
Simeone’s team are on a three-game winning streak in La Liga. None of those three wins came against the league’s big boys of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Atletico Madrid are three points off of first-place Real Sociedad. A win against Cadiz and results going their way elsewhere could send Atletico Madrid to the top of La Liga.
It won’t be easy to defeat Cadiz as Cervera’s team have the best away points total in the league. They have taken 12 points from 12 possible. Cadiz are just as strong on the defensive side of the ball as Atletico Madrid are. They have not allowed a goal on the road. Meanwhile, Cervera’s side have scored six goals.
Atletico Madrid have taken seven points from nine possible this season. Just one goal was conceded in their opening three matches while eight goals have been scored.
Atletico Madrid vs Cadiz Team News
Simeone has three players that are doubts for the game. Striker Diego Costa is recovering from a hamstring injury. He is expected to return this month but could miss time until the international break. Winger Yannick Carrasco is also a doubt for the game. He has a muscle strain that could keep him out until the end of the month. Full-back Sime Vrsaljko is out of action until December.
Atletico Madrid forwards Luis Suarez and Joao Felix have combined for seven goals this season. Neither of the two could get on the scoresheet in midweek in Russia as Jose Gimenez got Atletico Madrid’s only goal of the game. Felix did score twice in Atletico Madrid’s 3-1 win against Osasuna last time out.
Cervera has three players suffering from injuries at Cadiz. All three players, Alberto Perea, Marcos Mauro, Luismi Quezada, are not expected to appear on Saturday in the game in the capital. Quezada is the only one of the three players that is listed as a long-term absentee. He is suffering from a knee issue that should keep him out until next month.
Cadiz signed former Tottenham Hotspur striker Alvaro Negredo over the summer. He has found the back of the net on two occasions. Teammate Salvi Sanchez has also scored two times for the Yellow Submarine.
Atletico Madrid vs Cadiz Prediction
Both teams to score - BET NOW
Cadiz will take on the defensive masters of La Liga on Saturday. If Cadiz fancy themselves as the new defensive club of Spanish football, they will surely learn some lessons against Atletico Madrid. Cadiz have not allowed a goal on the road this season in six games. That record should end while struggling to score goals of their own.
Luis Suarez to score anytime - BET NOW
Luis Suarez missed last weekend’s away win at Osasuna. Prior to his absence, Suarez had scored in back-to-back games in La Liga. The striker returned to the team in midweek in the Champions League but displayed poor finishing. Now, having had a game to get fit for the weekend, Suarez could get back amongst the goalscorers against Cadiz.
Under 2.5 goals scored - BET NOW
Atletico Madrid are in fine form going into the weekend. They are unbeaten in six straight La Liga matches. Four of those six games finished in wins. Four of Atletico Madrid’s last five games ended with under 2.5 goals scored. Keep in mind that Cadiz have not allowed a goal on their travels this season. This game should be low scoring with two very defensive teams playing.
Los Colchoneros are coming off of a midweek Champions League 1-1 draw in Russia against Lokomotiv Moscow. Fatigue could play a part in Saturday’s game in the capital.
Five straight Cadiz games ended with under 2.5 goals scored. Remember that they already went to Madrid at defeated the reigning La Liga champions, Real Madrid, 1-0. This is a very promising team, but be aware that the clock may strike 12 this weekend and the carriage could turn back into a pumpkin.
Atletico Madrid’s quality should rise to the top. Simeone has Suarez and Felix, and both are capable of getting goals for the team. Atletico Madrid should claim a narrow win in a defensive game at the Wanda.
