Newly-promoted Girona welcome a steadily-improving Cadiz to Montilivi on Saturday, hoping to put an end to a three-game losing streak in LaLiga.
The hosts were unfortunate to fall to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid last weekend, while the visitors made it three games unbeaten with a 2-2 draw to Espanyol.
Match preview
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Having possessed 55% of the ball at the Civitas Metropolitano last weekend, firing 11 shots at goal in the process, Michel's plucky Girona will surely have left one of Europe's most intimidating stadiums with their heads held high.
Ultimately, it was only a nightmare mistake from goalkeeper Juan Carlos, passing the ball straight to Angel Correa, that cost Los Gerundenses a precious point.
A week after his goal-of-the-season contender, Rodrigo Riquelme took aim from distance once again, and scored against his parent club with a deflected strike. That was before Aleix Garcia hit the post with a wonder-strike, leaving the Catalan club wondering what could have been had their veteran goalkeeper found a teammate.
Unfortunately for Michel's men, this was the third time in a row that an exciting performance had yielded zero points, losing out to both Real Betis and Real Sociedad before that defeat to Atletico Madrid.
Nonetheless, such positive performances against some of the better sides in LaLiga should only breathe confidence into a fired-up squad, ahead of the visit of one of the division's struggling sides.
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It may have taken Cadiz 540 minutes to score their first goal of the LaLiga season, but Alvaro Negredo's stoppage-time winner at Real Valladolid a month ago sealed a first competitive victory for Los Piratas since May.
Following that sensational smash-and-grab, Sergio's men have clawed their way up from the foot of the table with two hard-fought draws, holding Villarreal to a stalemate before rescuing a point last weekend in a 2-2 draw with Espanyol.
The first time that Cadiz had scored two or more goals in 11 league games, it was former Arsenal striker Lucas Perez who fired home in the 78th minute, to cancel out an earlier brace from fellow ex-Premier League frontman Joselu.
A team who have sustained their LaLiga status over the last two years through staunch defending and clinical counters, the Andalusian side will have to be at their unbreakable best if they are to resist a free-flowing Girona side with a point to prove.
Team News
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For the home side, it has been confirmed this week that Real Madrid loanee Reinier will miss up to five weeks of action with a thigh injury, while defender David Lopez will continue his spell on the sidelines with an Achilles strain.
Girona's leading goalscorer Cristhian Stuani is back after being cleared of cardiac arrhythmia, but could be kept out of the side by the high-flying Riquelme, with two goals in his last two LaLiga outings.
Cadiz have been slightly more fortunate on the injury front, with only fringe player Jon Ander Garrido still on the treatment table.
Isaac Carcelen is back from suspension, and will almost certainly replace Joseba Zaldua at left-back, while Perez will be hoping for a start after his equalising goal last weekend.
Girona possible starting lineup:
Juan Carlos; Couto, Hernandez, Espinosa, Bueno, Arnau; Garcia, Romeu, Herrera; Riquelme, Castellanos
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Espino, Chust, Hernandez, Carcelen; Alejo, San Emeterio, Alcaraz, Bongonda; Perez, Negredo
We say: Girona 2-0 Cadiz
Girona are certainly due a win after three good performances in tough games, and will see the visit of Cadiz as an opportunity to grab a much-needed three points.
Cadiz will be a tough nut to crack, but we expect the Catalan side to get the job done.
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