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

Sevilla will be looking to make it six La Liga victories in a row when they continue their domestic campaign away to Osasuna on Monday night.

Julen Lopetegui 's side are currently fourth in the table, one point behind third-placed Barcelona, while Osasuna have risen to 12th position courtesy of back-to-back victories in Spain's top flight.

Match preview

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Osasuna are certainly not safe from the threat of relegation, but two wins from their last two matches against Eibar and Levante has seen them rise into 12th position, now four points clear of the bottom three.

Jagoba Arrasate 's side have actually taken nine points from the last 12 available in the league, while they have lost just one of their last five during a strong run of form, which has been even more important considering that two of their next three matches are against Sevilla and Barca.

Osasuna finished 10th in La Liga last season and are actually only three points off 10th-placed Athletic Bilbao at this stage, which is an indication of how quickly things can change considering their struggles earlier this term.

Los Rojillos have won four, drawn three and lost four of their 11 league matches on home soil this season, which is a relatively solid record, but they have lost six of their last seven games against Sevilla at this level.

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Sevilla, as mentioned, have won each of their last five in Spain's top flight, overcoming Alaves, Cadiz, Eibar, Getafe and Huesca during an impressive run of form.

The Europa League holders have lost just one of their last 12 in La Liga, meanwhile, and currently sit secure in the top four, seven points clear of fifth-placed Real Sociedad with a game in hand.

Lopetegui's side will be looking up the division rather than down as they are only one point behind third-placed Barca and just four behind Real Madrid in second, and Los Blancos have played a game more.

Sevilla have also put themselves in a strong position to reach the final of the Copa del Rey as they recorded a 2-0 win over Barca in the first leg of their semi-final contest earlier this month.

The Spanish giants have work to do in the Champions League, though, having suffered a 3-2 home defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday night.

Osasuna La Liga form: LDWLWW

Osasuna form (all competitions): DWLLWW

Sevilla La Liga form: LWWWWW

Sevilla form (all competitions): WWWWWL

Team News

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Osasuna will again be without the services of Facundo Roncaglia, Chimy Avila, Jony and Ruben Martinez through injury, while Darko Brasanac and Juan Cruz remain doubts for Monday's contest.

Ante Budimir came off the bench to score the winner against Levante last weekend, and there could now be a start for the striker alongside Jonathan Calleri as part of a front two.

Arrasate is expected to keep with the majority of the side that started last time out, though, meaning that Lucas Torro should again get the nod over Oier alongside Jon Moncayola in midfield.

As for Sevilla, Marcos Acuna and Lucas Ocampos will again be absent through injury, but Jesus Navas returned from an issue of his own against Dortmund and should be fit to start here.

Lopetegui is expected to make changes from the side that featured in the Champions League, with Munir El Haddadi, Nemanja Gudelj and Oliver Torres all in line for starts.

Luuk de Jong was on the scoresheet in the defeat to BVB during the week, but Youssef En-Nesyri, who has scored 13 league goals this season, should retain his spot at the tip of the attack.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Vidal, Hernandez, D Garcia, Sanchez; Torres, Moncayola, Torro, R Garcia; Budimir, Calleri

Sevilla possible starting lineup:

Bounou; Navas, Kounde, Carlos, Escudero; Torres, Gudelj, Jordan; Suso, En-Nesyri, Munir

We say: Osasuna 1-1 Sevilla

Osasuna will enter Monday's match full of confidence following back-to-back wins, and they will be looking to take advantage of a potential Champions League hangover for Sevilla; we are expecting a tight match in Pamplona and believe that the hosts will have enough to hold Lopetegui's side to a low-scoring draw.

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