Osasuna vs Real Sociedad Preview: Team News & Prediction
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This isn’t a regional derby but it something of a local-ish rivalry as Osasuna prepare to take on an improving Real Sociedad side at El Sadar in Pamplona this weekend.
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 / US – ESPN+
Osasuna preview: Struggling Osasuna
Following the departure of Vicente Moreno over the summer, Osasuna appointed former Mirandes boss Alessio Lisci to try and see them continue to be a mid-table staple in La Liga, but they have managed just three wins in 12 matches thus far.
The hosts have scored just nine goals in those games with only rock-bottom Oviedo having scored fewer. They went into the international break on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat to Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in Andalusia.
Real Sociedad preview: Improved La Real
Imanol Alguacil ended his long-term stint in charge of Real Sociedad over the summer, departing for Al Shabab of the Saudi Pro League, and his replacement, Sergio Francisco, began in underwhelming fashion, but they have since begun to improve once again.
La Real headed into the break on the back of a four-match unbeaten run of form with their most recent outing being a 1-1 draw against Elche at Manuel Martinez Valero, with a late Mikel Oyarzabal penalty getting the Basque giants a point.
Osasuna team news: Key doubts
Croatia international striker Ante Budimir is a doubt for this one due to a calf injury, alongside midfielder Lucas Torro. Jon Moncayola has picked up a groin issue over the break.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sergio Herrera; Jorge Herrando, Boyomo, Alejandro Catena, Abel Bretones; Moi Gomez, Iker Munoz; Victor Munoz, Raul Garcia, Kike Barja; Ruben Garcia
Unavailable: Rosier (Injured), Jon Moncayola (Injured), Iker Benito (Injured)
Questionable: Lucas Torro (Injured), Budimir (Injured)
Real Sociedad team news: Several doubts
Real Sociedad are dealing with several key first-team injury doubts for this one as the likes of Aritz Elustondo and Yangel Herrera could be sidelined again alongside Ander Barrenetxea.
Predicted XI (4-1-4-1): Alex Remiro; Alvaro Odriozola, Jon Martin, Igor Zubeldia, Sergio Gomez; Jon Gorrotxategi; Kubo, Brais Mendez, Carlos Soler, Guedes; Mikel Oyarzabal
Unavailable: Oskarsson (Injured)
Questionable: Aritz Elustondo (Injured), Jon Aramburu (Injured), Yangel Herrera (Injured), Inaki Ruperez (Injured), Ander Barrenetxea (Injured)
Osasuna vs Real Sociedad prediction
Alessio Lisci managed to lead minnows Mirandes to the second-tier playoff final with a very dogged and defensive style of football, which he is replicating with Osasuna. They have tried to be a bit more adventurous in recent matches but they are still badly struggling for goals, which won’t be helped by the injury to Ante Budimir. Real Sociedad have lacked efficiency in the final third for a few years now and so a low-scoring clash in Navarre seems quite likely.
Osasuna vs Real Sociedad tip: Under 2.5 goals
