Match Preview: Friday 14/04/2006 20:30 (GMT+2): La Liga match day 35
FC Barcelona - Cádiz CF

Camp Nou, Barcelona – capacity: 99.000


Referee: González Vázquez


FC Barcelona (4-3-3): Valdés – Belletti, Puyol, Márquez, Sylvinho – Van Bommel , Iniesta, Deco, - Giuly , Eto'o, Larsson – Manager: Frank Rijkaard



Cádiz CF (4-4-2): Raul Náva - De Quintana, Mario Silva, Rául López, Varela - Estoyanoff, Benjamin, Pavoni, Suarez - Jonathan (Oli), Mirosavljevic - Manager : Victor Espárrago


Preview: After last weeks match against Sevilla had been suspended due to torrential rain and hail storms, today Barca can convert the first match ball out of 5. If Barca wins against lowly Cadiz and Valencia draws or looses at home to Alaves, FC Barcelona would be the old and new Spanish Champion.


Today´s match highlight is definetely the return of Barca star midfileder Xavi. Xavi had been sidelined for nearly 5 month and is unlikely to start but it would give him and the team a boost if he could get a few minutes practice in front of the home crowd who will give him a great and warm welcome. Xavi had been missed, as a player and personality.


Barca´s and La Primera Liga´s leading goal scorer Samuel Eto'o will be especially fired up tonight, as he will see this match against lowely Cadiz to add some goals to his goal scoring account. Barca striker Eto'o (24 goals) had been coming under pressure from Valencia´s David Villa (22 goals), who scored a hat-trick last weekend against Atletic Bilbao. The Cameroon international Eto'o is extremely keen on bagging the “Pichichi” title after loosing it last year to Diego Forlan on the last match day. Eto'o also has not given up on catching European´s leading goal scorer Luca Toni (Fiorentina) to win nthe “Golden Boot” this year. There are still 5 matches to go for the profilic African Player of the Year to win this trophy.


FC Barcelona are clear favourites in this match, no matter what team Barca is fielding. Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will be looking to rest a few players which could mean that Ezquerro, Van Bommel, Motta and Sylvinho could all get a chance to play tonight.

Cadiz will only be without injured defender Abraham Paz who is is the only first team regular who will be not available for selection. Cadiz is not expected to make any changes to its side that have taken 4 points from possible 6 in the last two matches.
Cadiz, are fighting a tough relegation battle with Alaves, Mallorca, Racing, Espanyol, Athletic Bilbao, Betis and Real Sociedad who are all not safe yet. Cadiz have been in 19th position for quite a while now, but are still only two points away from getting out of the relegation zone. Cadiz latest results have been positive and give hope for the survival in La Pimera Liga.

FC Barcelona is exactly at the other end of the table and it is just a question of time when they become Champions. Mathematically only Valencia can catch Barca but even the biggest pessimist can see this happening. But FC Barcelona´s staff and board will be focused to win the title as soon as possible because the frenetical Championship Celebrations should not disturb the concentration on the No. 1 target of this year: Winning the Champions League Final in Paris against Arsenal.


Our Prediction: Cadiz is complete outsider but they will seek any little chance and slight loss of focus of Barca to get a result at Camp Nou. FC Barcelona might not fire from all cannons and will make sure no injuries occure. Barca should not have any trouble to win this game and Eto'o will score at least once.
FC Barcelona v Cadiz 2-0

Visca el Barca!


Here are the odds for the game.

FC Barcelona 1,18

Draw 6,00
Cádiz 11,50


To place your bet click here