Osasunavs.Alaves

Both sides were in Copa del Rey action during the week, with Osasuna progressing to the third round of the competition courtesy of a 3-2 success over Ceuta, while Alaves lost on penalties to Deportiva Minera.

Match preview

Osasuna were involved in a five-goal thriller with third-tier outfit Ceuta in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, and they needed to come from two goals behind to win 3-2, with Ante Budimir and Raul Garcia making it 2-2 in the latter stages, before an own goal in the 93rd minute broke the home side's hearts.

It was a more strenuous affair than Osasuna would have wanted ahead of their return to La Liga action, and they will be bidding to post a seventh league success of the campaign in Sunday's clash with Alaves.

Vicente Moreno's side have shared the points with Villarreal and Sevilla in their last two league matches, with their last success in Spain's top flight proving to be a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid at the start of November.

A record of six wins, five draws and four defeats from 15 matches has brought Osasuna 23 points, which has left them in seventh spot in the table, one point behind sixth-placed Mallorca and six from Athletic Bilbao in fourth.

Los Rojillos have been impressive on home soil this term, picking up 17 points from their eight matches in front of their own supporters, while Alaves have lost seven of their eight games on their travels.

Alaves have actually suffered more away defeats (seven) this season than any team in La Liga, with their only positive result on their travels this term proving to be a shock 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the end of August.

Eduardo Coudet was appointed the team's new head coach at the start of the month following the departure of Luis Garcia, but the former's reign got off to a disappointing start on Thursday, with the Basque outfit knocked out of the Copa del Rey by fourth-tier outfit Deportiva Minera courtesy of a penalty-shootout defeat.

The Blue and Whites finished 10th in La Liga last season on their return to the top flight, but they have found it more difficult this term, picking up just 14 points from their 15 matches, which has left them down in 16th spot in the table.

Alaves are winless in their last four matches in all competitions, but they did pick up a point at home to Leganes in the league last weekend, while their last success was a 1-0 victory over Mallorca at the start of November.

The Basque team are on a five-game losing run against Osasuna in Spain's top flight, and they have not managed to overcome Sunday's opponents in La Liga since November 2016.

Osasuna La Liga form:

L

W

W

L

D

D

Osasuna form (all competitions):

W

W

L

D

D

W

Alaves La Liga form:

L

L

W

L

L

D

Alaves form (all competitions):

W

W

L

L

D

L

Team News

Osausna will be missing two players through injury on Sunday, with Jose Arnaiz and Bryan Zaragoza unavailable for selection.

As a result, Ruben Pena could feature in a forward area, with the Spaniard given the nod against Ceuta in the Copa del Rey.

There will be wholesale changes to the side took to the field for the first whistle of the cup fixture, though, with Budimir, Aimar Oroz, Jesus Areso, Ruben Garcia and Sergio Herrera set to be among those come into the XI.

As for Alaves, Hugo Novoa will miss the match through injury, but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape.

New head coach Coudet selected a strong side in the Copa del Rey, which made their elimination even more surprising, and he will be demanding a response from the same group of players in this contest.

Kike Garcia came off the bench to score twice against Deportiva Minera, and he is certain to return at centre-forward, but the likes of Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi and Antonio Blanco are set to retain their spots.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Areso, Catena, Boyomo, Cruz; Moncayola, Munoz, Oroz; Ruben Garcia, Budimir, Pena

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Mourino, Diarra; Guevara, Blanco, Guridi; Vicente, K Garcia, Martin

We say: Osasuna 2-0 Alaves

Osasuna have the fourth-best home record in La Liga this season, losing just one of their eight matches, and we are finding it very difficult to predict anything other than a routine home success here; Coudet needs time to change things at Alaves, but he could be staring at another defeat this weekend.

Written by

Matt Law

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