Osasunavs.Athletic Bilbao

Ernesto Valverde's side, who are fourth in the La Liga table, were held to a goalless draw by Alaves last time out, while eighth-placed Osasuna will enter the clash off the back of a 0-0 draw with Espanyol.

Match preview

Athletic saw a six-game winning run in all competitions halted last weekend, when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Alaves; Unai Gomez sent the Lions ahead in the 10th minute, but Joan Jordan levelled the scores in second period.

The Basque outfit are now unbeaten in their last 13 matches in all competitions, including their last nine in the league, with that run leaving them in fourth spot, just four points behind third-placed Real Madrid.

Athletic are six points ahead of fifth-placed Villarreal, meanwhile, although the Yellow Submarine do have a game in hand, and it is set to be a fascinating battle for the top four in the second half of the campaign.

The Lions have not finished fourth since 2014, so there is plenty on the line this season, with the club also regarded to be among the favourites to triumph in the Europa League this term.

Valverde's side have only won one of their last four La Liga matches against Osasuna, but that success came in the corresponding fixture last term, with the Basque side 2-0 winners at El Sadar Stadium.

As for Osasuna, the hosts will enter the contest off the back of a goalless draw with Espanyol, which stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches, but four of those have been draws.

Vicente Moreno's side have a record of six wins, seven draws and four defeats from their 17 league matches this season to collect 25 points, which has left them in eighth spot in the table.

Los Rojillos are only two points behind fifth-placed Villarreal on the same number of matches, and they have scored an impressive 22 times in the league this season, but their defensive record has been disappointing, shipping 25.

Osasuna are viewed as outsiders for a possible top-six finish, but they have proven to be difficult to beat this term, and a positive result here would certainly send out a statement.

Moreno's team have been strong at home this season, picking up 18 points from their nine matches in front of their own fans, while Athletic have collected 12 points from their eight fixtures on their travels.

Osasuna La Liga form:

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Osasuna form (all competitions):

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Athletic Bilbao La Liga form:

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Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):

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Team News

Osasuna will be without the services of Bryan Zaragoza, Moi Gomez and Jose Arnaiz through injury on Saturday, while Alejandro Catena is suspended due to the yellow card that he picked up against Espanyol.

There will be a boost for the home side here, though, as Jon Moncayola is back from the suspension that ruled him out of the team's last game.

Ante Budimir has scored 10 times in La Liga this season, and the experienced forward will again feature in the final third of the field, while Ruben Garcia and Raul Garcia could also both start.

As for Athletic, Ander Herrera is missing due to a muscular problem, but Nico Williams is fit, with the Spaniard recovering from an injury scare to be involved against Alaves.

Gorka Guruzeta and Oihan Sancet will both be pushing for recalls, and the latter is expected to come into the side for Unai Gomez despite the Spaniard finding the back of the net against Alaves.

Alvaro Djalo is another option in the final third of the field, but Alex Berenguer should again be given the nod through the middle, with Nico Williams and Inaki Williams operating in the wide areas.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Areso, Herrando, Boyomo, Bretones; Ruben Garcia, Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Budimir, Raul Garcia

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Boiro; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; I Williams, Sancet, N Williams; Berenguer

We say: Osasuna 1-2 Athletic Bilbao

Athletic will be aiming to make it back-to-back away successes over Osasuna, but it is a big ask against the hosts, who have lost just once in front of their own fans this term; Athletic are a classy outfit, though, and we are backing them to edge this contest.

Written by

Matt Law

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