Tenerifevs.Osasuna

The Segunda Division side will be looking to make back-to-back last-16 appearances, while the visitors are hoping to reach the final 16 for the third year in a row.

Match preview

Tenerife are competing in the Copa del Rey third round after coming through two nervy ties against lower-league opposition.

The team from the Canary Islands recorded a 2-0 extra-time victory over fourth-tier Alfaro, before they held their nerve from the penalty spot to prevail in a shootout against third-tier Zamora in the second round.

While they have enjoyed success in the cup, Tenerife are currently in the midst of a disappointing league campaign, having mustered just 11 points from 19 league matches this season.

As a result of that poor record, Tenerife are languishing at the bottom of the Segunda Division table, with 12 points separating them from safety.

After losing five of their last six league games, the club's board decided it was the right time to make their second managerial change of the season, replacing Pepe Mel with former Cadiz boss Alvaro Cervera, who has taken over the reins at Tenerife for the second time in his coaching career.

Cervera will be keen to make a positive start in the first game of his second spell, although he has failed to win any of his last eight competitive meetings with Osasuna (D1, L7).

Osasuna will have aspirations of mounting a memorable cup run as they did in 2023-24 when they progressed to the final, where their dream of a maiden Copa del Rey trophy was ended by Real Madrid.

Los Rojillos began their latest cup campaign with a dominant 5-0 win over Chiclana, before they survived a major scare in their second-round tie against third-tier Cueta.

Osasuna mounted a dramatic late fightback in December's cup tie, scoring three goals after the 80th-minute mark to overturn a two-goal deficit and set up Saturday's clash against Tenerife.

Vicente Moreno's side will hope for improved fortunes at the start of 2025 after failing to win any of their final six league games in the previous calendar year, losing to Real Madrid and Athletic on either side of a run of four consecutive La Liga draws.

They also struggled on their travels this season, winning just three of their 10 competitive away games (D4, L3), with two of those victories taking place in the previous rounds of the Copa del Rey.

Nevertheless, Osasuna will be the favourites to get the better of a Tenerife side struggling at the bottom of the Segunda Division, even though they have won one of their previous seven head-to-head meetings (D3, L3).

Tenerife Copa del Rey form:

W

W

Tenerife form (all competitions):

L

D

W

L

L

L

Osasuna Copa del Rey form:

W

W

Osasuna form (all competitions):

D

D

W

D

D

L

Team News

The hosts remain without long-term absentees Aitor Sanz and Jose Amo, while Luismi Cruz is set to miss out due to a muscle injury.

Defender Josep Gaya will serve a one-match suspension after being sent off in the previous round against Zamora.

Ex-Osasuna striker Enric is expected to line up against his former club, with the 38-year-old looking to add to the two goals he has scored this season.

As for the visitors, they will have to cope without one of their key attackers, Bryan Zaragoza, who is currently in the treatment room with a foot injury.

Kike Barja has been struggling with some muscle discomfort and will have to be assessed ahead of the trip to the Canary Islands.

Iker Benito will be unable to add to his two Copa del Rey appearances for the season, having joined second-tier Mirandes on loan until the end of the season.

Tenerife possible starting lineup:

Badia; Mellot, Gonzalez, Leon, Guerrero; Rubio, Diarra, Luis, Moreno; Mesa, Enric

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Areso, Boyomo, Herrando, Bretones; Ibanez, Torro, Oroz; R. Garcia, Gomez, Budimir

We say: Tenerife 1-3 Osasuna

Written by

Ben Sully

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