Preview: Osasuna vs. Eibar - prediction, team news, lineups

Two teams in desperate need of the points will lock horns in Spain's top flight on Sunday evening as Osasuna welcome Eibar to Pamplona.

Osasuna are currently 17th in the La Liga table, having picked up just 19 points from their 21 matches this season, while Eibar are 15th, just one point above their opponents this weekend.

Match preview

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Osasuna did not have any relegation concerns on their return to La Liga last season and ultimately finished in 10th position, 16 points clear of the bottom three and just four points off the top seven.

Los Rojillos have struggled to reach those heights in 2020-21, though, managing just four wins from their 21 matches, which has left them just outside the relegation zone in 17th position.

Jagoba Arrasate 's side are actually level on points with 18th-placed Alaves and just three points clear of Huesca in 20th, which is an indication of how things stand heading into a key period.

Osasuna picked up four points from two matches against Valencia and Granada towards the end of January but started February with a 1-0 loss to Real Betis, and they will be aware of what another defeat this weekend could mean ahead of two tough fixtures against Levante and Sevilla.

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Eibar, meanwhile, will enter this contest off the back of a 2-0 home defeat to Sevilla, which made it five games without a win in all competitions and four without a success in the league.

Los Armeros have been punching above their weight at this level since earning promotion for the 2014-15 campaign, but it does appear that they face a serious fight to retain their top-flight status.

Indeed, a total of 20 points from 21 matches has left them in 15th position in the table, just one point clear of the relegation zone and just four points above basement side Huesca.

Eibar have only actually won once in the league since the end of November, but they have been much better on their travels this season, picking up 13 points from 10 matches. In contrast, Jose Luis Mendilibar 's side have the worst home record in La Liga this term, collecting just seven points from 11 games.

Osasuna La Liga form: DDLDWL

Osasuna form (all competitions): LWDWLL

Eibar La Liga form: DWLLDL

Eibar form (all competitions): WLLLDL

Team News

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Osasuna will again be without a number of key players for this weekend's contest, with Lucas Torro, Facundo Roncaglia, Jony, Ante Budimir, Aridane Hernandez and Darko Brasanac all unavailable.

Roberto Torres, Manu Sanchez and Enric Gallego appeared off the bench against Betis and are in contention to start, but Arrasate is expected to resist the temptation to shuffle his pack.

Indeed, Jonathan Calleri should again lead the line with support from Kike Barja and Ruben Garcia in the wide positions, while Inigo Perez is likely to retain his spot in the middle of the park.

As for Eibar, Kevin Rodrigues remains unavailable for selection, while Marko Dmitrovic will miss out with the problem that he picked up against Sevilla, meaning that Yoel should feature between the sticks.

Pedro Leon and Sergi Enrich are options for change in the final third of the field, but it would not be a surprise to see Yoshinori Muto and Kike feature as the front two in a 4-4-2 formation.

Bryan Gil and Takashi Inui should also retain their positions in the wide areas, with Edu Exposito and Papa Diop again lining up in the middle of the park.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Vidal, U Garcia, D Garcia, Cruz; Perez, Oier, Moncayola; Barja, Calleri, R Garcia

Eibar possible starting lineup:

Yoel; Pozo, Oliveira, Bigas, Zabala; Inui, Diop, Exposito, Gil; Muto, Kike

We say: Osasuna 1-1 Eibar

The two sides played out a goalless draw in the reverse match earlier this season, and we are predicting another stalemate here. Both managers will be desperate not to lose for obvious reasons, meaning that it could be a tight and cagey affair in Pamplona.

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