Preview: Osasuna vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are currently eighth in the table, three points behind sixth-placed Villarreal, while Real Sociedad sit fourth, six points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis in the race for Champions League spots.

Match preview

Osasuna have picked up nine points from their last four league games courtesy of wins over Elche, Real Betis and Cadiz, which has put them in contention for a top-six finish entering the final straight.

Jagoba Arrasate's side recorded an impressive 3-2 win over Real Betis in the league on Saturday before returning to action on Tuesday evening with a 1-0 success at Cadiz.

Osasuna are currently eighth in the table, boasting 44 points from their 31 matches, which has left them only three points behind sixth-placed Villarreal.

However, it is likely that the picture would have changed by the time that this match kicks off, as there are four La Liga games on Wednesday night and three on Thursday.

Arrasate's team simply have to keep winning and see where that takes them, but they have struggled for consistency in front of their own fans this season, winning eight, drawing one and losing six of their 15 matches, and the hosts will be taking on a Real Sociedad outfit with the fourth-best away record in 2022-23.

The visitors will enter this match off the back of a goalless draw with Real Betis on Tuesday evening, with the result leaving them fourth in the table, six points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis.

Real Sociedad are in pole position to claim a spot in the Champions League for next season despite a recent wobble which has seen them win just three times in the league since the middle of February.

Imanol Alguacil's side will next be in action against Real Madrid on May 2, while they will also travel to Barcelona next month, so the Basque outfit cannot afford to drop many points, as their top-four spot is far from certain at this stage of the campaign.

La Real last finished fourth in 2013, so it would be a huge achievement to claim a Champions League spot for next term, and they have been strong on their travels this term, picking up 27 points from 16 matches.

Real Sociedad have also dominated their recent meetings with Osasuna, winning each of the last four La Liga games between the two sides, failing to concede in the process, while they have not lost to Friday's opponents in Spain's top flight since May 2012.

Osasuna La Liga form:

L

D

W

L

W

W

Osasuna form (all competitions):

D

D

W

L

W

W

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

W

L

W

L

W

D

Team News

Osasuna will be without the services of Darko Brasanac due to a long-term knee injury, while Abde Ezzalzouli will be missing following his red card against Cadiz.

Head coach Arrasate made wholesale changes against the Yellow Submarine on Tuesday, but the majority of the players are expected to be recalled for this match.

Indeed, Ruben Pena, Kike Barja, Aimar Oroz, Aridane Hernandez, David Garcia and Jon Moncayola should all return to the starting side for the home team.

As for Real Sociedad, their injury situation is unchanged, with Diego Rico, Umar Sadiq and Martin Merquelanz remaining on the sidelines for this match.

The Basque outfit have no fresh fitness concerns from their goalless draw with Real Betis, but there are expected to be changes to the side, with Mikel Merino and David Silva set to return.

Takefusa Kubo could potentially be moved into a more advanced area, but it seems more likely that he will drop down to the bench to allow Mikel Oyarzabal and Alexander Sorloth to continue as the front two.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Pena, Aridane, D Garcia, Cruz; Oroz, Moncayola, Ibanez; R Garcia, Budimir, Barja

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Munoz; D Silva, Zubimendi, Merino, Mendez; Oyarzabal, Sorloth

We say: Osasuna 1-1 Real Sociedad

This is a really tough match for Real Sociedad, with Osasuna showing excellent form at a vital stage of the campaign. Arrasate's side have been inconsistent at home this season, but we are finding it difficult to back them to lose here, so we have had to settle on a low-scoring draw.

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