As the fight for European football reaches a climax in La Liga, in-form Osasuna will welcome struggling Espanyol to Estadio El Sadar on Sunday.
Los Rojillos will be looking to make it back-to-back wins this weekend, while Los Periquitos will be hoping to stop the rot after four consecutive defeats.
Match preview
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Having lost just one of their last eight games, Vicente Moreno‘s Osasuna are still in the hunt for a place in the top eight with two matches to play.
On Thursday, Los Rojillos took all three points in an impressive 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid thanks to a first-half opener from centre-back Alejandro Catena and a late sealer from striker Ante Budimir.
That victory left Moreno’s side ninth in the table and level on 48 points with eighth-placed Rayo Vallecano, who currently occupy the division’s spot for entry into the UEFA Conference League qualifiers.
With four wins from their six most recent games, the hosts are only behind Los Franjirrojos by a one-goal differential, and considering that they have won three on the bounce at Estadio El Sadar, they will be confident of overtaking their rivals this weekend.
If Osasuna can earn their 12th triumph of the season on Sunday, then they could move up to eighth, where they may even find themselves within one point of seventh-placed Celta Vigo ahead of matchday 38.
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Meanwhile, Manolo Gonzalez‘s Espanyol are currently on a four-game losing streak, and they are still yet to confirm their top-flight status for the 2025-26 campaign.
Last time out, Los Periquitos were beaten 2-0 on their own turf by derby rivals Barcelona, who clinched their 28th La Liga title when wonderkid Lamine Yamal gave La Blaugrana the lead through another incredible strike, and Fermin Lopez made certain of the win in stoppage time.
That defeat has left Gonzalez’s men 16th with 39 points, meaning they are just five above 18th-placed Leganes, who can still catch up to them with two fixtures remaining.
Despite their advantageous position, the visitors’ fans will be concerned by the fact that their team were beaten in their last two on the road, including a 3-2 loss against Los Pepineros at the weekend, and they are unlikely to rest easy until they are mathematically safe.
However, fans and players alike will know that three points would be enough to guarantee another La Liga season for Espanyol, and while defeat could put them at risk on the final day of 2024-25, relegation-favourites Leganes will have to win their own clash this weekend to set up that scenario.
Team News
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Osasuna could be without left-back Juan Cruz this weekend after he was taken off with an injury late on against Atletico, and Abel Bretones could take his place in the backline.
Up top, striker Ante Budimir will be supported by Ruben Pena and Bayern Munich loanee Bryan Zaragoza, with Aimar Oroz operating in an attacking midfield role just behind the central forward.
As for Espanyol, they will be missing centre-back Leandro Cabrera following his red card against Barcelona, and Fernando Calero is likely join Marash Kumbulla at the heart of Gonzalez’s defence in his absence.
On the other hand, left-back Brian Olivan could return to the matchday squad for the first time since March after working his way into contention following a calf injury, though Carlos Romero should start on Sunday.
Elsewhere, striker Roberto Fernandez will be looking to fire his team to guaranteed safety alongside Antoniu Roca and Javi Puado, with Edu Exposito backing up the trio from midfield.
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Areso, Boyomo, Catena, Bretones; Ibanez, Torro; Pena, Oroz, Zaragoza; Budimir
Espanyol possible starting lineup:
Garcia; Hilali, Kumbulla, Calero, Romero; Gonzalez, Lozano; Roca, Exposito, Puado; Fernandez
We say: Osasuna 2-1 Espanyol
Osasuna have been in commendable form over recent weeks, losing just one of their last eight, so expect them to avoid defeat at the very least on Sunday.
Additionally, Espanyol have lost back-to-back away games ahead of this weekend, and given that the hosts have contrastingly won three on the bounce at home, Los Rojillos should walk away with all three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
