Villarreal vs. relegation candidates under pressure to win
The tenth matchday in the Spanish league will not be completed until late on Monday evening, and the whistle will already sound for matchday number eleven the following day. Three matches are scheduled for Tuesday and five teams are represented that are currently in the lower half of the table. The big disappointment in this respect is the yellow submarine as reigning Europa League winner. On Tuesday from 21:30, only a full success counts for Villarreal against Cadiz in any case, in order not to lose the connection to the midfield.
The Champions League participants recently suffered two bitter 1-2 defeats in the league and are still searching for the good form of last season. Cadiz cannot be satisfied with their recent performances either. The Cervera team has been almost non-existent, especially on the offensive, and has scored only once in the last five league games. Despite the home side’s poor form, Villarreal are considered clear favourites against Cadiz according to the latest betting odds.
The home side, who have a strong game, are currently lacking a little looseness, and recent negative experiences have certainly left their mark. Emery’s team is playing well, but time and again individual lapses cause a setback. Compared to the opponents from Cadiz, however, the individual quality is clearly higher.
Villarreal – Statistics & current form
Last week, Villarreal managed a 4-1 away win at the artificial turf of Swiss champions Young Boys Bern in the Champions League. An emphatic victory that was by no means so clear-cut, for after conceding a goal to make it 2-1, the big tremors began. Villarreal counter-attacked in the closing stages to score two more goals and win their first CL in 2021/22, but this success still did not give the yellow sub any security.
Second league defeat in a row
Villarreal remained without defeat in their first seven games in the Spanish LaLiga and yet the mood at the yellow submarine was anything but positive, after all, five games ended in a draw. Villarreal fell behind early on in the battle for the top places. The situation was exacerbated after the second international break, when Emery’s side lost 2-1 at home to CA Osasuna and 2-1 against Athletic Bilbao in the Basque Country.
Two wins, five draws and two defeats make for an absolutely disappointing first quarter of the championship. In the current table, the EL winners are only in 13th place. Compared to last season, Villarreal have seven points less. In the last ten years, the yellow submarine started even weaker only twice (2011/12 and 2018/19).
Top striker Moreno injured
As if the defeats in the Basque Country didn’t hurt enough, Spanish team striker Gerard Moreno had to be substituted with an injury before the end of the first half. The 29-year-old has been suffering from minor injuries lately after his past gala season. His absence, however, can hardly be compensated for, as ex-BVB player Paco Alcacer has extreme fluctuations in his game. Newcomer Boulaye Dia has already missed the last three league games due to injury, but at least winger Samuel Chukwueze was able to celebrate his comeback recently.
Chukwueze also came on for Moreno against Bilbao and will probably be in the starting eleven on Tuesday. With that, the yellow submarine should have more than enough pace and creativity with three skilled wingers up front. Against a deep-lying opponent, as Cadiz will surely be, this type of player is certainly in demand. Both Pino, Danjuma and Chukwueze can hold their own in one-on-one situations and provide moments of surprise. Therefore, despite Moreno’s absence and weak results at Villarreal against Cadiz, the bet on the home win is recommended.
Predicted Villarreal line-up:
Rulli – Pedraza, Pau Torres, Albiol, Foyth – Coquelin, Trigueros, Parejo – Chukwueze, Danjuma, Pino
Last matches played by Villarreal:
LaLiga
10/23 2021 – Athletic Bilbao 2 – 1 Villarreal FC
Champions League Grp. F
10/20 2021 – BSC Young Boys 1 – 4 FC Villarreal
LaLiga
10/17 2021 – Villarreal FC 1 – 2 Osasuna Pamplona
10/03 2021 – Villarreal FC 2 – 0 Real Betis
Champions League Grp. F
09/29 2021 – Manchester United 2 – 1 Villarreal FC
Cadiz – Statistics & current form
Long-term coach Alvaro Cervera – in charge since 2015 – led the yellow-and-blue from Andalusia back from third-tier status to the Spanish LaLiga in recent years. After the promotion, the euphoria was transported and already with a good start to the season, Cadiz was able to establish itself in the direction of midfield. Twelfth place in the final standings was a huge success for the crass underdogs. It was also the best result in the club’s history (also achieved in 1987/88).
Offensive causes great concern
In their second year, many promoted teams have lost their carefree attitude and the competition can already adjust better. Although Cadiz strengthened the squad selectively and did not have to give away any major performers, the team is currently still running behind last year’s results. Compared to last season, Cadiz have only half as many points after ten games played as they did last year (7 compared to 14).
The big problem in recent weeks has been the attacking department, as goal threat is not being exuded these days. In the last five league games, only centre-back Varazdat Haroyan got on the scoresheet in the 3-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano. This means that three of the seven goals scored so far this season have come from defensive players.
In the four remaining games, there were two goalless draws and two 2-0 defeats in the last two games. In view of this offensive weakness, the prediction for Villarreal against Cadiz is a win for the home side. Compared to the normal win odds, betting odds of just over 2.00 are offered for this.
Predicted Cadiz line-up:
Ledesma – Espino, Chust, Haroyan, Carcelen – Fali – Sobrino, Jönsson, Alarcon, Sanchez – Lozano
Last matches played by Cadiz:
LaLiga
10/23 2021 – Cadiz 0 – 2 Deportivo Alaves
10/18 2021 – Espanyol 2 – 0 Cadiz
10/02 2021 – Cadiz 0 – 0 Valencia
09/26 2021 – Rayo Vallecano 3 – 1 Cadiz
09/23 2021 – Cadiz 0 – 0 Barcelona
Villarreal – Cadiz Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
The two teams have faced each other a dozen times in competitive matches so far, with Cadiz winning their home match against the yellow submarine only in the 1971/72 season (then still in the second division). Otherwise, the direct comparison speaks for itself, with Villarreal winning eight times and Cadiz drawing three. Last season, the teams faced each other for the first time since a cup duel in 2014/15. The match ended goalless in Cadiz, while Villarreal won the home match 2-1.
Villarreal – Cadiz Tip
This match can well be described as a crisis duel of sorts, with both teams searching for form and clearly lagging behind (their own) expectations. The expectations of the home side are much higher and therefore the clear role of favourite for Villarreal against Cadiz is absolutely justified according to the current odds.
The visitors from Cadiz do not have the individual quality to keep up with Villarreal. Even though Villarreal are always a bit of a worry at the moment, betting on the handicap win at odds of 2.20 in the Villarreal vs Cadiz match seems very lucrative. Two good reasons for this are the yellow sub’s fundamental desire to play and the recent Cadiz results. The recommended stake for this bet is six units.
