Preview: Real Sociedad vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Sociedad will be looking to pick up where they left off in La Liga when they resume their 2019-20 campaign at home to Osasuna on Sunday night.

Imanol Alguacil 's side are currently fourth in Spain's top flight, while Osasuna occupy 11th spot in the table, having picked up 34 points from their 27 matches this term.

Match preview

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Sociedad have not claimed a top-four spot in La Liga since the 2012-13 campaign, while they have finished 12th and ninth respectively in their last two seasons in Spain's top flight.

The Basque outfit are very much in the argument for a Champions League spot this term, though, as they sit fourth in the table, having collected 46 points from their 27 matches this season.

Just a point separates sixth-placed Atletico Madrid from Sociedad, however, and therefore the picture is capable of changing incredibly quickly, making Sunday's contest very important for the hosts.

Alguacil's side were in excellent form before the lockdown period, winning four of their last five league matches, only losing to Barcelona during a brilliant run of form.

Sociedad's home form this season has also been strong, winning eight of their 13 matches and suffering just three defeats, but the absence of supporters inside stadiums could certainly have an impact.

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Osasuna, meanwhile, earned promotion back to La Liga courtesy of last season's Segunda Division triumph, and their supporters will be pleased with the team's form during the 2019-20 campaign.

Indeed, a record of eight wins, 10 draws and nine defeats from 27 matches has brought them 34 points, which is enough for 11th spot at this stage, some nine points clear of the relegation zone.

It is difficult to imagine Jagoba Arrasate 's side losing enough games at this stage to be pulled into trouble, although their next two in La Liga after this one are against Atletico and Valencia.

Osasuna have also not beaten Sociedad in Spain's top flight since May 2012 and have lost their last three meetings, including a 4-3 loss in the reverse match in Pamplona earlier this season.

Sociedad La Liga form: LWWWLW

Sociedad form (all competitions): WWWWLW

Osasuna La Liga form: LLWLLW

Team News

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Sociedad captain Asier Illarramendi has not played since undergoing ankle surgery in August, but the midfielder has returned to fitness over the lockdown period and is in contention to feature this weekend.

Ander Guevara is unlikely to be available for Sunday's contest, but the hosts otherwise have a full squad to choose from, meaning that Alguacil has plenty of decisions to make.

Portu could get the nod over Adnan Januzaj to feature in an attacking position, while Willian Jose and Mikel Oyarzabal are also expected to feature in forward positions for the hosts.

Osasuna, though, will be missing a number of first-team players, with Chimy Avila, Fran Merida, Facundo Roncaglia, Robert Ibanez and Kike Barja all expected to be unavailable through injury.

Ruben Garcia is suspended, meanwhile, in another blow for the visitors.

Roberto Torres scored the winner against Espanyol last time out and should keep his spot in a wide position, while Garcia's absence could open the door for Jose Arnaiz to start in a forward area.

Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Zaldua, Elustondo, Llorente, Monreal; Zubeldia, Merino, Odegaard; Oyarzabal, Willian Jose, Portu

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Vidal, Hernandez, Garcia, Estupinan; Torres, Brasanac, Oier, Lato; Gallego, Arnaiz

We say: Sociedad 2-0 Osasuna

Sociedad were in excellent form before the campaign was halted in March, and the Basque outfit have no real injury concerns ahead of Sunday's contest. Osasuna, though, are missing a number of players, and we strongly believe that the home side will pick up all three points in routine fashion.