Sports Mole previews Wednesday’s Copa del Rey clash between CF Badalona and Cadiz, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
La Liga side Cadiz will make the trip to Catalonia for Wednesday’s Copa del Rey tie against fourth-tier CF Badalona Futur.
The visitors are hoping to avoid another first-round exit after being eliminated by lower-league opposition last term.
Match preview
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CF Badalona Futur are set to compete in the Copa del Rey for the first time since Badalona absorbed Costa Brava in 2022 to become a new entity.
The Catalan club who compete in the fourth tier of Spanish football book their place in the Copa del Rey with a strong performance in the Copa Federacion de Espana.
They beat Ibiza Islas Pitiusas, San Juan and Ejea to book their place in the semi-final and seal their spot in Spain’s main cup competition.
Since cruising to a 3-0 victory over Ejea earlier this month, Badalona have gone on to win a semi-final tie against UD Logrones after extra time, securing their place in November’s final against either San Roque or Talavera.
Badalona have also enjoyed a successful start to their league campaign, having lost just one of their nine matches to leave them in third place, ensuring they take some confidence into Wednesday’s cup tie.
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Cadiz may welcome the distraction of a cup tie after failing to win any of their last seven league games since beating Villarreal on September 1.
Sergio Gonzalez’s side would have been hoping to end their wait for a victory on Saturday when they stormed into a two-goal lead inside the opening half-hour against fellow Andalusian club Sevilla thanks to efforts from Chris Ramos and Darwin Machis.
However, Lucas Ocampos pulled a goal back in the 37th minute to give Sevilla a foothold, before experienced midfielder Ivan Rakitic levelled the scoring on the hour-mark, ensuring the contest finished in a 2-2 draw.
That result took Cadiz’s tally for the season to 10 points from 11 game, leaving them in 14th place and four points above the bottom three.
While the top-flight side will go into Wednesday’s cup tie as the clear favourites, they will be wary of their lower league opponents after being eliminated in the first-round of last season’s competition by third-tier Real Union, who claimed a 3-2 victory courtesy of a stoppage-time winner.
CF Badalona form (all competitions):
Cadiz form (all competitions):
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Team News
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Badalona could make a couple of changes to the side that beat Formentera at the weekend, with Jaume Pascal and Juan Segura both in contention to start.
After scoring the winner in Sunday’s 1-0 victory, Edgar Hernandez is expected to lead the line against Cadiz in Wednesday’s cup tie.
As for Cadiz, Gonzalez is still unable to call upon Luis Hernandez, Fede San Emeterio and Brian Ocampo, while Momo Mbaye is a doubt after failing to make the last two matchday squads.
Robert Navarro missed the draw with Sevilla through suspension, but the Real Sociedad loanee could be included in the starting lineup for the midweek encounter.
Gonzalez may take the opportunity to give a number of his fringe players a chance to impress, with David Gil, Joe Zaldua, Alex Fernandez, Victor Chust, Ruben Sobrino and Sergio Guardiola all likely to feature. CF Badalona possible starting lineup:Ortega; Cortes, Espinola, Fornes, Pedraza, Roig; Pascual, Segura, Pinol, Thior, Hernandez
Cadiz possible starting lineup:Gil; Zaldua, Mere, Chust, Pires; Alejo, Escalante, Fernandez, Sobrino; Gomez, Guardiola
We say: CF Badalona 1-3 Cadiz
Cadiz have only managed to pick up two wins in 11 league games, but even though they may be low on confidence, we think the top-flight club have far too much quality in their squad for their fourth-tier opponents.For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:curl
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