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

The home side are currently ninth in the division, two points behind seventh-placed Athletic Bilbao, while Elche are 20th, some 14 points from the safety of 17th position.

Match preview

Osasuna will be present in the final of the Copa del Rey for just the second time in their history, having overcome Athletic Bilbao in Tuesday's semi-final.

The tie headed for extra time, with Inaki Williams making it 1-1 on aggregate, but Pablo Ibanez's 116th-minute effort proved to be the difference between the two sides, with Osasuna set to take on Real Madrid, who demolished Barcelona in the second leg of their semi-final on Wednesday.

The final will take place at the start of May, meaning that the team can concentrate on the league over the next month, and this match gives them the chance to triumph in Spain's top flight for the first time since being involved in a five-goal thriller with Sevilla at the end of February.

Jagoba Arrasate's side have only picked up two points from their last four league games, including a goalless draw with Mallorca last time out, with a total of 35 points from 27 matches leaving them in ninth position, only two points behind seventh-placed Athletic.

Five of the last six La Liga meetings between Osasuna and Elche have actually finished level, including a 1-1 draw in the reverse game towards the end of January.

Elche showed signs of life in the early stages of March, picking up four points from their two league games against Mallorca and Real Valladolid, but they have since lost their last two against Real Sociedad and Barcelona, conceding six times and failing to score.

Sebastian Beccacece's side remain rock bottom of the table on 13 points, 14 points behind 17th-palced Valencia, so it is going to take a miracle to survive this term.

Elche are playing in their third straight campaign at this level of football, which is their best run in Spain's top flight since the late 1970s.

There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a hugely difficult campaign for Los Franjiverdes, though, and it appears almost certain that they will be heading back down to the Segunda Division for next term.

Elche have the second-worst away record in La Liga this season, picking up just six points from 13 matches, but Osasuna have only collected 19 points in front of their own fans this term.

Osasuna La Liga form:

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Osasuna form (all competitions):

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Elche La Liga form:

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Team News

Osasuna had both Ezequiel Avila and Ruben Pena back on their bench against Athletic after missing out against Mallorca in the league, with the duo recovering from injuries.

Meanwhile, Darko Brasanac will be available this weekend after serving a La Liga suspension.

Head coach Arrasate could select the majority of the players that took to the field for the first whistle against Athletic last time out, but Avila could return to the XI in the final third of the field.

As for Elche, Randy Nteka and Enzo Roco will miss Saturday's contest due to muscular problems.

Lucas Boye and Pape Cheikh are both back from suspensions, though, and the pair should come into the starting side against Osasuna.

Pere Milla is Elche's leading goalscorer in the league this season with six, and the 30-year-old is set to be partnered by Boye in the final third of the field for this clash.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Moncayola, Aridane, D Garcia, Cruz; Torro, M Gomez; R Garcia, Oroz, Ezzalzouli; Avila

Elche possible starting lineup:

Badia; Palacios, Bigas, Mascarell, Clerc; Morente, Cheikh, Gumbau, Fidel; Boye, Milla

We say: Osasuna 2-1 Elche

Elche won at Mallorca last month, so it would not be a complete shock to see the visitors triumph here, but we are finding it difficult to back an away success. Osasuna will be full of confidence following their Copa del Rey triumph and should be able to claim all three points here.

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