Osasuna vs Espanyol Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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Osasuna had started the season steadily but are reeling from a defeat last weekend as they now welcome Espanyol to El Sadar in Pamplona on Saturday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / 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 – Cannot be streamed / USA – ESPN+
Osasuna preview: Steady start but beaten
Following their survival on the final day of last season, Osasuna took the decision to part company with Alessio Lisci and replace him with former Burgos boss Luis Miguel Ramis and his extremely conservative style of football.
The hosts began the season well with two victories and a draw in their opening three matches but they now come into this one on the back of a 5-2 hammering at the hands of Deportivo Alaves at Mendizarrozza in the Basque Country last weekend.
Espanyol preview: Frustrating few games
Espanyol started their season with an impressive 3-0 hammering of Levante in their opener at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona but the Catalans have since rediscovered their poor form from the second half of last season in La Liga.
Back-to-back defeats against Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, albeit with fairly strong performances, were followed by a 1-1 draw against Sevilla last week, scoring a 98th minute equaliser despite Sevilla being down to ten men from the 56th minute.
Osasuna team news: Creative absentees
Ahead of the visit of Espanyol to Pamplona this week, Osasuna are now without key creators Aimar Oroz and Moi Gomez, with both dealing with hamstring injuries.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Sergio Herrera; Inigo Arguibide, Boyomo, Alejandro Catena, Abel Bretones; Raul Garcia, Jon Moncayola, Iker Munoz, Raul Moro; Ruben Garcia, Budimir
Unavailable: Jorge Herrando (Injured), Aimar Oroz (Injured), Moi Gomez (Injured)
Questionable: Rosier (Injured)
Espanyol team news: Andoni Gorosabel a doubt
Summer signing Andoni Gorosabel, who is on loan from Athletic Club, suffered a groin injury last week and is now a doubt ahead of their trip to Pamplona this weekend.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Dmitrovic; El Hilali, Unai Nunez, Leandro Cabrera, Roger Hinojo; Alex Calatrava, Gabriel Moscardo, Edu Exposito, Dolan; Marcos Fernandez, Roberto Fernandez
Unavailable: Javi Puado (Injured), Kike (Injured)
Questionable: Andoni Gorosabel (Injured)
Osasuna vs Espanyol prediction
Luis Miguel Ramis has a reputation for playing an extremely defensive style of football and so conceding five goals last week will likely spark a reaction whereby Osasuna are perhaps even more conservative this time around. Espanyol were bright on the opening day but a lack of depth and quality in the final third has since shown – perhaps contributing to what is expected to be a low-scoring encounter in Navarre this weekend.
Osasuna vs Espanyol tip: Under 2.5 goals
