LaLiga: Real Madrid vs Cádiz: times, TV and how to watch online

Real Madrid play host to Cádiz on Sunday night - their penultimate game of 2021, and one which they will go into with a quarter of their squad self-isolating after testing positive for Covid-19. Six players returned positive PCR tests mid-week and while Luka Modric later tested negative, he didn’t take part in Saturday’s session and has been excluded from the list.

Follow Real Madrid vs Cádiz live online: scores, stats and updates, LaLiga.

Their opponents Cádiz have problems of their own, fortunately not health-related. The Gaditanos are at the opposite end of the table in 18th and without a league win since the start of November. They beat Athletic Club by the bare minimum in Bilbao – one of just two victories they have enjoyed this season. Much of their current predicament is down to their atrocious defensive record – 31 goals conceded in 17 games – twice as many as Madrid; only bottom-placed Levante have worse figures.

Otherwise, they haven’t been playing particularly badly and it’s not all doom and gloom for Álvaro Cervera’s side – they haven’t been having any trouble scoring and they’re still alive in the Copa del Rey. And they also beat Madrid in this fixture last season…

Choco Lozano, who hit the winner in Madrid last year - has supplied exactly a third of Cádiz’s goals in LaLiga and just behind him is Álex Fernández, the team’s second top scorer and a player who Madrid know well – he’s Nacho’s younger brother – both of them started out in La Fábrica.

Ancelotti’s Madrid meanwhile are coasting at the top of the table. An away defeat at Espanyol is the only blemish on their record so far this season (the team also dropped points against Betis, Villarreal and Osasuna). At the moment, no one looks like stopping them from wrapping up the title ahead of time.

Real Madrid vs Cádiz: team news

The Covid-10 Omicron variant is ravaging through Europe and even Real Madrid’s strict protocols haven’t stopped a number of first team stars succumbing to the virus. Marcelo, Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale, Rodrygo and Andriy Lunin are in quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19. Luka Modric returned two different results but isn’t in the list. Karim Benzema, who was doubtful with a tight hamstring, has been cleared to play. Also in Ancelotti’s squad list are Dani Ceballos – called up for the first time this season and Castilla winger Peter Federico, who could be handed his debut.

Cádiz are already in the capital. They decided to take advantage of Thursday’s Copa tie against Albacete to travel straight to Madrid rather than go home. Cervera will likely field a similar XI to the one which drew 1-1 against Granada - 4-4-1-1 with Álex Fernández tucked in just behind Lozano. Salvi, who was sent off right at the end of that game is suspended while right-back Iza Carcelén and José Mari miss out through injury.

What time does Real Madrid vs Cádiz kick off?

Find out what time the 2021 LaLiga Week 18 meeting between Real Madrid and Cádiz kicks off wherever you are in the world.

Where can I watch Real Madrid vs Cádiz in the US and UK?

In the US and UK, the following television channels and online services will be broadcasting Real Madrid vs Cádiz:

United States: ESPN+

United Kingdom: Premier Player HD, Premier Sports 1, LaLigaTV

Find out who is showing Real Madrid vs Cádiz around in the world.

Real Madrid vs Cádiz: live AS USA coverage

You’ll also be able to follow live-text coverage of Real Madrid vs Cádiz right here at AS USA. We'll be building up to the game from about an hour ahead of kick-off, before taking you through the action as it unfolds.