Alaves vs Osasuna Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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A clash of styles at Mendizorrozza at the Basque Country sees Deportivo Alaves welcome Navarre-based Osasuna on Sunday this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – ESPN+
Alaves preview: Unbeaten Alaves
Deportivo Alaves played an entertaining style of football following the appointment of Quique Sanchez Flores last season and they have continued that into this season as they begin La Liga with two victories and a draw in their three matches.
The hosts come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Villarreal in their most recent outing in Vitoria-Gasleiz, courtesy of a 31st minute strike scored by attacker Lucas Boye.
Osasuna preview: Unbeaten Osasuna
Osasuna have started the season with two victories and a draw in their opening three matches of the campaign, edging past Getafe by a goal to nil at El Sadar in Pamplona last week with a first half stoppage-time penalty scored by Ante Budimir.
Osasuna backed up a defeat of Celta Vigo after beginning with a goalless draw against Levante. The visitors appointed the almost overly conservative former Burgos coach Luis Miguel Ramis over the summer and he has started strongly.
Alaves team news: Attacking absentees
Alaves are dealing with a couple of fresh injury absentees for this one as Toni Martinez is sidelined alongside fellow attacker and new signing Mikel Rodriguez.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Antonio Sivera; Tenaglia, Koski, Jonny; Angel Perez, Pablo Ibanez, Antonio Blanco, Denis Suarez, Rebbach; Mariano, Lucas Boye
Unavailable: Garces (Disciplinary), Toni Martinez (Injured), Mikel Rodriguez (Injured)
Questionable:
Osasuna team news: Rosier a doubt
Versatile defender, Valentin Rosier is a doubt as he recovers from a hamstring injury while Jorge Herrando and Aimar Oroz are both confirmed absentees.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Sergio Herrera; Inigo Arguibide, Alejandro Catena, Diego Rico, Abel Bretones; Ruben Garcia, Jon Moncayola, Iker Munoz, Moi Gomez; Lucas Torro; Budimir
Unavailable: Jorge Herrando (Injured), Aimar Oroz (Injured)
Questionable: Rosier (Injured)
Alaves vs Osasuna prediction
There were concerns about how Osasuna may fare this season under the extreme defensive style of Luis Miguel Ramis but they may well be starting a potentially brilliant campaign. Alaves will seek to take the game to their opposition on Sunday but they may well be blunted on this occasion and a low-scoring encounter would appear a decent bet for this one.
Alaves vs Osasuna tip: Under 2.5 goals
