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

The home side, who have risen into 12th spot in the table, will enter the contest off the back of a 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, while Osasuna played out a 1-1 draw with Espanyol last time out.

Match preview

Real Valladolid have picked up two huge wins in their last two matches, first overcoming Valencia at the end of January before recording a 1-0 victory at Real Sociedad last Sunday, with Cyle Larin scoring the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute.

The loss was Real Sociedad's first in La Liga since the end of October, so Pacheta's side should enter this match full of confidence, having moved away from the relegation zone and into 13th position.

The White and Violets have won seven, drawn two and lost 11 of their 20 La Liga matches this term to collect 23 points, which has left them four points clear of the bottom three.

Real Valladolid are bidding to make it back-to-back campaigns at this level following their promotion last term, and their home form is likely to be key, having picked up 16 points from their 10 matches in front of their own supporters during the 2022-23 season.

Osasuna, meanwhile, played out a 1-1 draw with Espanyol last weekend; Ante Budimir sent Jagoba Arrasate's side ahead in the 45th minute of the contest, but Martin Braithwaite levelled for the hosts just before the hour, as the points were shared at RCDE Stadium.

A solid campaign to date has left Los Rojillos in ninth position in the table, boasting 29 points from their 20 matches courtesy of a record of eight wins, five draws and seven defeats.

Osasuna are just two points behind sixth-placed Villarreal and six ahead of 13th-placed Real Valladolid, so they should be looking up the division rather than down.

Arrasate's team have only won one of their last seven league matches, though, with the victory in question coming against Mallorca in the middle of January.

Osasuna recorded a 2-0 victory over Real Valladolid when the two sides locked horns for the reverse match at the end of October, but the White and Violets won 3-2 in their last battle at Estadio Municipal Jose Zorrilla.

Real Valladolid La Liga form:

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Real Valladolid form (all competitions):

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Osasuna La Liga form:

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D

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Osasuna form (all competitions):

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Team News

Real Valladolid will be able to welcome Roque Mesa back into their squad this weekend, with the Spaniard missing out against Real Sociedad last time out through suspension.

However, Anuar Tuhami, Kenedy and Joaquin Fernandez remain on the sidelines through injury.

Mesa could take Kike Perez's spot in the middle of the park, but it might otherwise be the same XI that took to the field for the first whistle against Real Sociedad, with Sergio Leon set to retain his spot at centre-forward despite firm competition from Larin.

As for Osasuna, Abde Ezzalzouli is suspended due to the red card that he picked up in the draw with Espanyol last time out, which could mean a spot in midfield for Darko Brasanac.

Nacho Vidal and Ruben Pena remain major doubts due to muscular problems, while Aimar Oroz is likely to be out for the remainder of the month through injury.

Brasanac for the suspended Ezzalzouli could be the only change from the side that started last time out, with Budimir again expected to lead the line for the visitors.

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Masip; Perez, Sanchez, Hongla, Olaza; Plano, Mesa, Monchu; Plata, Leon, Machis

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Moreno, Hernandez, D Garcia, Cruz; Moncayola, Gomez, Torro, Brasanac, Avila; Budimir

We say: Real Valladolid 1-1 Osasuna

Four of the last six La Liga meetings between these two teams have finished level, and we can see a low-scoring draw in this match. Real Valladolid's recent form has been impressive, but Osasuna usually do not give much away, so we are predicting a stalemate on Sunday evening.

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