Barcelona vs Cadiz CF prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-08-19 17:30.
Barcelona started their La Liga (LL) title defence with a goalless draw at Getafe that featured three red cards, nearly 20 minutes of second-half stoppage time and a VAR-rejected penalty! Coach Xavi felt his “sending-off wasn’t important”, although his post-match frustration at dropping points was palpable. The faithful Catalonian fans won’t be too distraught though, as two of the three previous occasions when they started a top-flight campaign with a goalless draw, they went on to win the title, including last term!
There’s a new dimension to take into account this year though, as Barça play their home games this season at Estadi OlĂmpic LluĂs Companys, with Camp Nou under renovation. Despite it being a temporary venue, Barcelona will be keen to continue their home record from last season that saw them concede just four league goals!
One of many clean sheets occurred in a 2-0 win over Cádiz, who like Barcelona started this campaign with a red card, but managed to secure a 1-0 victory over promoted side Alavés. It marked a fourth consecutive home win in the competition for the club for the first time in this century, with manager Sergio quick to see the “double value” of the win over a potential relegation contender, desperate to avoid the close call with the drop zone last season.
Cádiz’s away record nearly pulled them down last year as the Andalusians managed only three league wins on the road and finished the away league campaign with a five-game winless run (D2, L3). While those numbers don’t inspire confidence, their chances can’t be ruled out entirely either, as Cádiz picked up points in two of their last three away LL H2Hs (W1, D1, L1).
Key battle: Barcelona’s Marc-AndrĂ© ter Stegen has a score to settle with Cádiz, as his three clean sheets across six LL H2Hs could only land an even record (W2, D2, L2). That said, facing Barcelona might not be a personal preference for Cádiz’s Roger MartĂ, who has lost eight LL matches against them – the joint-most defeats against any opponent for the 32-year-old (along with Athletic Bilbao).
Hot stat: Barcelona have never drawn their first two games of a top-flight campaign.