Osasuna vs Oviedo Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Osasuna endured a tough and long midweek as they now welcome a steadily improving but still very poor Real Oviedo side to El Sadar in the city of Pamplona on Saturday.
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 any game may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / Disney+ / US – ESPN+
Osasuna preview: Hard working midweek
In the summer, after leading minnows Mirandes to the playoff final of the second-tier in Spanish football, Alessio Lisci replaced Vicente Moreno in charge of Osasuna but his style of football has left a lot to be desired with a relegation battle in their midst.
Osasuna also suffered through a hard-fought defeat to Real Sociedad in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey in midweek. They shared a 2-2 draw with the Basque giants at the Reale Arena before succumbing to elimination via a penalty shootout.
Oviedo preview: Struggling Asturians
Real Oviedo begin the weekend’s round of fixtures sitting rock-bottom in La Liga with just two victories so far this season as they sit five points adrift of safety but a stubbornness in terms of being difficult to beat is helping them stay in touch.
The Asturians, now under the management of Uruguayan coach Guillermo Almada, have drawn four of their last five matches in the league with a recent 1-1 draw at home to Real Betis in which they very nearly pinched a much-needed victory.
Osasuna team news: Jon Moncayola suspended
Key midfielder Jon Moncayola is missing through suspension for Osasuna this weekend, while versatile midfielder Iker Benito is sidelined due to a knee injury, too.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sergio Herrera; Rosier, Alejandro Catena, Jorge Herrando, Javi Galan; Moi Gomez, Lucas Torro; Raul Garcia, Victor Munoz, Aimar Oroz; Budimir
Unavailable: Jon Moncayola (Suspended), Iker Benito (Injured)
Questionable:
Oviedo team news: No Carmo
Having returned from the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Angola international centre-back David Carmo is now missing through suspension, with fellow defender Eric Bailly out injured.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Aaron; Lucas Ahijado, David Costas, Dani Calvo, Alhassane; Sibo, Colombatto; Ilyas Chaira, Alberto Reina, Hassan; Brekalo
Unavailable: Carmo (Suspended), Bailly (Injured), Alvaro Lemos (Injured)
Questionable: Nacho Vidal (Injured), Ejaria (Injured)
Osasuna vs Oviedo prediction
Alessio Lisci lost the playoff final to Oviedo in June and it is a clash between two teams that lack quality in the final third. Osasuna certainly have more of it with a front four that is reasonable but playing a genuinely tedious style of football. Oviedo remain on track to score the fewest goals in La Liga history but they have become more obdurate and another low-scoring encounter appears inevitable for this one in the region of Navarre.
Osasuna vs Oviedo tip: Under 2.5 goals
