Osasuna vs Alaves Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Osasuna have massively overperformed at the start of this season and survived a scare in the cup in midweek, whilst Deportivo Alaves were not as fortunate and were one of the top-flight sides to succumb to lower league opposition in the Copa del Rey.
Kick-off date/time: Sunday 8th December, 2024: UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Osasuna vs Alaves may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Osasuna Preview: Entertaining Osasuna
Osasuna come into this one on the back of a dramatic from behind 3-2 defeat of Moroccan exclave Ceuta in the second round of the Copa del Rey in midweek. Ceuta were 2-0 up as late as the 84th minute before Ante Budimir and Ruben Garcia scored goals in quick succession and then the Pamplona-based side nicked the victory with an own goal in stoppage-time.
They have overperformed pre-season expectations with Vicente Moreno at the helm as they begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting just about tucked inside the top seven and the UEFA competition qualification spots. They have been entertaining to watch, too, with their 15 matches so far this season consisting of 43 goals.
Alaves Preview: The Eduardo Coudet era
Despite playing quite well throughout last season and finishing in the top-half in their first season back in the Spanish top-flight, there were plenty of suggestions that Luis Garcia Plaza would be sacked and, after a dip in form in the last couple of months, the Basque side took that decision earlier this week and replaced him with former Celta Vigo boss Eduardo Coudet.
Eduardo Coudet has managed both Atletico Mineiro and Internacional in Brazil since leaving Celta after a two-year spell in November 2022. His reign at the Mendizorroza began with a shock loss to lower league Deportivo Minera in the cup on penalties in midweek after the game was 1-1 at full-time and 2-2 at extra-time.
Osasuna Team News: Key absentees
Osasuna’s entertaining approach this season has been the result of a few key players and two of those key players in the attacking 4-3-3 system are now sidelined for this weekend.
Bayern Munich loanee Bryan Zaragoza is unavailable with a foot injury, whilst key midfielder Lucas Torro is still sidelined through suspension for the home team.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Sergio Herrera; Jesus Areso, Alejandro Catena, Boyomo, Juan Cruz; Jon Moncayola, Iker Munoz, Aimar Oroz; Ruben Garcia, Budimir, Kike Barja
Unavailable: Lucas Torro (Suspended), Bryan Zaragoza (Injured), Iker Benito (Injured)
Questionable: Jose Manuel Arnaiz (Injured)
Alaves Team News: The tactical tweaks
Luis Garcia Plaza isn’t a defensive coach but Eduardo Coudet has gained a reputation for being an aggressive and attacking coach so things are expected to be tweaked at Alaves.
He will still be dealing with a couple of injury issues as summer signing Hugo Nova remains sidelined alongside Carlos Benavidez, who is dealing with a hamstring injury.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Antonio Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Santiago Mourino, Diarra; Ander Guevara, Antonio Blanco, Jon Guridi; Carlos Vicente, Kike, Carlos Martin
Unavailable:
Questionable: Hugo Novoa (Injured), Carlos Benavidez (Injured)
Osasuna vs Alaves Prediction
Osasuna have some really talented players in attack that have left many to believe they are actually overperforming what manager Vicente Moreno is actually capable of with Osasuna initially expected to struggle following the departure of Jago Arrasate over the summer. They face an Alaves side that have been entertaining at times during the Luis Garcia Plaza era and are now expected to become even more front foot with Eduardo Coudet at the helm. Both teams scoring therefore seems a good bet for this one.
Osasuna vs Alaves Tip: Both teams to score
