Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao Preview: Team News & Prediction
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In what is a bit of a derby, Osasuna, struggling in La Liga, return to action with the visit of an underwhelming Athletic Club side at El Sadar in Pamplona this weekend.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – 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 – Cannot be streamed / US – ESPN+
Osasuna preview: Struggles for Osasuna
Over the summer, Osasuna took the decision to appoint Italian coach Alessio Lisci, who led minnows Mirandes to the playoff final of the second-tier but the hosts have struggled for large parts at the start of this season.
However, they did head into the mid-season winter break on the back of an impressive 3-0 defeat of Deportivo Alaves a couple of weeks ago, courtesy of a late flurry of goals with a strike from Raul Garcia as well as an Ante Budimir brace.
Athletic Bilbao preview: Under pressure Athletic
Ernesto Valverde led Athletic Club to fourth in La Liga last season and subsequent UEFA Champions League qualification but the Basque giants have struggled to cope with domestic and European commitments so far this season.
The visitors had begun to find some form through the late autumn but they ended up going into the break on the back of three defeats in their last four matches in La Liga, slipping outside of the top seven.
Osasuna team news: Abel Bretones suspended
For a second time this season, left-back Abel Bretones is now missing through suspension, while Cameroon international centre-back Enzo Boyomo is away at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sergio Herrera; Rosier, Alejandro Catena, Jorge Herrando, Juan Cruz; Jon Moncayola, Lucas Torro; Raul Garcia, Aimar Oroz, Victor Munoz; Budimir
Unavailable: Boyomo (International duty), Abel Bretones (Injured), Iker Benito (Injured)
Questionable:
Athletic Bilbao team news: Defensive injuries
Athletic are dealing with key defensive injury issues for this one, such as both Aymeric Laporte and Unai Egiluz, while Yeray Alvarez remains unavailable due to suspension for doping.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Unai Simon; Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Inigo Lekue, Boiro; Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Mikel Jauregizar; Alex Berenguer, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams; Inaki Williams
Unavailable: Yeray (Disciplinary), Laporte (Injured), Unai Egiluz (Injured), Benat Prados (Injured), Maroan Sannadi (Injured)
Questionable:
Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao prediction
The issue in the opening couple of months for Osasuna this season has been the fact that they have been too defensive under Lisci. However, a switch to a 4-2-3-1 system and the improved form of the exciting Victor Munoz has really helped them. They face an Athletic side that themselves are better when playing on the counter-attack. Both teams scoring may well be a good bet for this one.
Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao tip: Both teams to score
