Osasuna vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Osasuna head into the final two games of the 2024/25 La Liga campaign still in contention for European qualification as they take on an Espanyol side that are not yet safe in La Liga.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Osasuna vs Espanyol may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
Osasuna preview: Pushing for Europe
Prior to the season, following the departure of Jago Arrasate to Real Mallorca and the appointment of former Almeria boss Vicente Moreno, Osasuna were tipped for relegation before challenging for Europe and then being dragged back into the relegation battle.
Now the Pamplona-based outfit begin the penultimate weekend of the campaign sitting outside of the top eight and the European spots on goal difference. The hosts defeated Atletico Madrid by two goals to nil in midweek at El Sadar.
Espanyol preview: More or less safe
In midweek, Espanyol suffered their fourth successive loss in La Liga as they suffered a defeat to Barcelona in the city derby, losing by two goals to nil to the Blaugrana due to goals from Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez as Barca won the league title at the RCDE Stadium.
They had been brilliant in the second-half of the season under the management of former B team coach Manolo Gonzalez but they have been dragged back towards the drop, sitting just five points clear of the danger zone with two games of the season to go.
Osasuna team news: No Ruben Garcia
Osasuna do have a fresh injury concern ahead of this weekend with key man Ruben Garcia now sidelined through injury. Bayern Munich loanee Bryan Zaragoza will hope to keep his place, having forced himself back into the eleven in midweek.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sergio Herrera; Jesus Areso, Boyomo, Alejandro Catena, Juan Cruz; Pablo Ibanez, Lucas Torro; Ruben Pena, Aimar Oroz, Bryan Zaragoza; Budimir
Unavailable: Ruben Garcia (Injured)
Questionable:
Espanyol team news: Leandro Cabrera suspended
As Espanyol travel to Navarre this weekend, they will be without key defender Leandro Cabrera who is missing through suspension following his red card against Barca the other day. Fellow defender Brian Olivan is also unavailable due to a calf injury.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; El Hilali, Kumbulla, Fernando Calero, Carlos Romero; Urko Gonzalez, Pol Lozano; Alex Roca, Edu Exposito, Javi Puado; Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Leandro Cabrera (Suspended), Brian Olivan (Injured)
Questionable:
Osasuna vs Espanyol prediction
Osasuna come into this one knowing they have a brilliant chance to reach European qualification for the second time in their last three seasons, having finished seventh in the 2022/23 campaign. They face an Espanyol side that are in poor form and may well be complacent at the moment – and probably rightly so as relegation does remain an unlikely possibility. As a result, siding with Osasuna looks the way to go for this one, especially at El Sadar.
Osasuna vs Espanyol tip: Osasuna to win
