Preview: Osasuna vs. Celta Vigo - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side were beaten 1-0 by the reigning champions Barcelona on Wednesday, while Celta suffered a 1-0 loss to title-challenging Girona in their last match on Sunday.

Match preview

Osasuna certainly gave a strong account of themselves in the clash with Barcelona last time out, but Vitor Roque's 63rd-minute effort proved to be the difference between the two sides, as Xavi guided the La Liga champions to a much-needed three points.

The defeat left Los Rojillos down in 12th position in the table on 26 points, boasting a record of seven wins, five draws and 10 defeats from their 22 league fixtures during the 2023-24 campaign.

Osasuna are three points behind 10th-placed Getafe and 10 ahead of the relegation zone, so they should be looking up the table at this stage, with a top-half finish still more than achievable.

Jagoba Arrasate's side claimed seventh last season, in addition to reaching the Copa del Rey final, but there has been a drop-off during the 2023-24 campaign in terms of performances and results.

The Pamplona outfit are unbeaten in their last three La Liga matches with Celta, including a 2-0 victory when the two teams locked horns for the reverse game back in August.

Celta looked to have turned a corner towards the end of last year and start of 2024, winning four of their six matches in all competitions between December 16 and January 17, including two in La Liga.

However, Rafael Benitez's side will enter this match off the back of three successive defeats, losing twice to Real Sociedad, once in the league and once in the Copa del Rey, before going down 1-0 at home to Girona in Spain's top flight last weekend.

The Sky Blues are in a relegation battle this season, having only picked up 17 points from their opening 22 matches of the campaign, which has left them down in 17th position.

Celta, who finished 13th in Spain's top flight last term, are only one point ahead of 18th-placed Cadiz heading into the next round of matches, and they have claimed just three league victories all season.

Benitez's team have only managed to pick up seven points from their 10 away league matches this season, with their only La Liga victory on the road in 2023-24 coming against basement side Almeria last September.

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Osasuna form (all competitions):

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Celta Vigo La Liga form:

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Celta Vigo form (all competitions):

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Team News

Osasuna will be missing Ruben Pena on Sunday due to a muscular injury, while Unai Garcia is suspended following his red card against Barcelona last time out.

The hosts did not make any signings in January, so there will be no new faces on display, but Chimy Avila moved on to Real Betis, with the 29-year-old's time at the club coming to an end.

The bulk of the XI that started against Barcelona should retain their spots, with potentially the only change seeing Alejandro Catena replacing the suspended Unai Garcia.

As for Celta, Williot Swedberg is out of the contest due to a foot problem, while Joseph Aidoo is a long-term absentee for the visitors due to a serious knee injury.

The Sky Blues will also again be missing Jonathan Bamba, with the attacker still in action for Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Celta could hand a debut to Tadeo Allende on Sunday, with the 24-year-old arriving at the club from Godoy Cruz before the winter deadline, and he is in contention to play a part in this match.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Areso, Catena, D Garcia, Herrando, Mojica; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Budimir, Arnaiz

Celta Vigo possible starting lineup:

Guaita; U Nunez, Starfelt, Dominguez; Mingueza, Tapia, De la Torre, M Sanchez; Douvikas, Aspas, Larsen

We say: Osasuna 2-1 Celta Vigo

Celta are better than what they have shown this season, with the Sky Blues having a lot of quality in the forward positions, but Osasuna are an improving side, winning two of their last four league games and suffering just one loss, and we are backing the home side to secure all three points here.

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