Osasuna vs Rayo Vallecano Preview: Team News & Prediction
by Alex Lawes ·
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After a bright start to the campaign, Osasuna are now struggling once again as they welcome Rayo Vallecano to El Sadar in Pamplona on Saturday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / 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 – Premier Player / USA – ESPN+
Osasuna preview: The conservative Osasuna
Having survived relegation on the final day of last season, Osasuna replaced Alessio Lisci with former Burgos boss Luis Miguel Ramis and his ultra conservative style, which did earn Osasuna seven points from their opening three matches.
However, their defence has crumbled in their last three games with a 5-2 loss to Deportivo Alaves before a 2-0 defeat at home to Espanyol and then a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Atletico Madrid in midweek.
Rayo Vallecano preview: Steady Rayo
Inigo Perez led Rayo Vallecano to the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League before departing for Villarreal and off-field issues have continued to blight Rayo, forcing them to play home games away at Butarque in Leganes.
Despite that, Rayo have remained surprisingly strong and competitive – as was the case in midweek as they defeated Espanyol by two goals to one with first half goals being scored by Alvaro Garcia and Adria Pedrosa.
Osasuna team news: Rosier close to a return
The versatile Valentin Rosier sustained a hamstring injury in pre-season but he is close to a return with Jorge Herrando and key attackers Aimar Oroz and Moi Gomez still sidelined.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sergio Herrera; Inigo Arguibide, Boyomo, Alejandro Catena, Abel Bretones; Jon Moncayola, Lucas Torro; Raul Moro, Raul Garcia, Ruben Garcia; Budimir
Unavailable: Jorge Herrando (Injured), Aimar Oroz (Injured), Moi Gomez (Injured)
Questionable: Rosier (Fitness)
Rayo Vallecano team news: Isi close
Key man Isi Palazon is close to returning from an injury sustained in August, while Randy Nteka is now a doubt and first-choice goalkeeper Augusto Batalla is still unavailable.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Audero; Ratiu, Lejeune, Sadick, Adria Pedrosa; Pablo Diaz, Ciss, Unai Lopez; Tsitaishvili, Sergio Camello, Alvaro Garcia
Unavailable: Augusto Batalla (Injured), Luiz Felipe (Injured)
Questionable: Vertrouwd (Injured), Isi Palazon (Fitness), Nteka (Injured)
Osasuna vs Rayo Vallecano prediction
The ownership and presidency of Raul Martin Presa at Rayo is one of the most chaotic and controversial in Europe but Benat San Jose, Inigo Perez’ successor, is getting his Rayo side to again punch above their weight this season thus far. Osasuna were expected to be very tight under Luis Miguel Ramis but with 11 goals conceded in their last three matches, Rayo may well fancy themselves to punish the hosts once again in Navarre.
Osasuna vs Rayo Vallecano tip: Double chance – Rayo Vallecano to win or draw
