La Liga | Gameweek 16

Dec 8, 2024 at 5.30pm UK

Estadio El Sadar

Osasunavs.Alaves

Match preview

Osasuna had a nail-biter on Thursday in the Copa del Rey against third-tier Ceuta. They were down by two goals, but managed to come back and win 3-2. Ante Budimir and Raul Garcia tied it up at 2-2 in the second half, and then an own goal in the 93rd minute was the final blow for the home team.

It was a tougher match than Osasuna would have liked before they return to La Liga action. They'll be looking to secure a seventh league win of the campaign in Sunday's clash with Alavés.

Vicente Moreno's team have drawn their last two league matches, against Villarreal and Sevilla. Their last win in Spain's top flight was a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid at the start of November.

Osasuna has a record of six wins, five draws and four losses from 15 matches, which has brought them 23 points. This has left them in seventh place in the table, one point behind sixth-placed Mallorca and six points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.

Los Rojillos have been on a roll at home this season, racking up 17 points from their eight matches in front of their own supporters. Alavés, on the other hand, have struggled away from home, losing seven of their eight games.

Alavés have actually suffered more away defeats (seven) this season than any other team in La Liga. Their only positive result on their travels this term was a shock 2-1 win over Real Sociedad at the end of August.

Eduardo Coudet was brought in as the team's new head coach at the start of the month after Luis Garcia left, but he got off to a rough start on Thursday. The Basque outfit was knocked out of the Copa del Rey by fourth-tier Deportiva Minera in a penalty shootout.

The Blue and Whites finished 10th in La Liga last season after returning to the top flight, but they've had a tougher time this term, picking up just 14 points from their 15 matches. That's left them down in 16th spot in the table.

Alavés haven't won any of their last four matches, but they did manage to draw with Leganés in the league last weekend. Their last win was against Mallorca at the start of November.

The Basque team have lost five games in a row against Osasuna in Spain's top flight. They haven't beaten Sunday's opponents in La Liga since November 2016.

Recent Performance

Osasuna La Liga form:LWWLDD

Osasuna form (all competitions):WWLDDW

Alaves La Liga form:LLWLLD

Alaves form (all competitions):WWLLDL

Team News

Osausna will be without two players on Sunday due to injury, with Jose Arnaiz and Bryan Zaragoza unavailable for selection.

This means that Ruben Pena could play up front, as he did against Ceuta in the Copa del Rey.

There'll be a lot of changes to the side that started the cup fixture, though. Budimir, Aimar Oroz, Jesus Areso, Ruben Garcia and Sergio Herrera are all set to come into the XI.

In terms of Alavés, Hugo Novoa will be out of action due to injury, but the visitors are otherwise in a strong position.

New head coach Coudet picked a strong side for the Copa del Rey, which made their elimination even more surprising. He'll be demanding a response from the same group of players in this contest.

Kike García came off the bench to score twice against Deportiva Minera, so he'll be back up front for sure. But it looks like Carlos Vicente, Jon Guridi and Antonio Blanco will keep their spots.

Possible starting lineup

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Areso, Catena, Boyomo, Cruz; Moncayola, Munoz, Oroz; Ruben Garcia, Budimir, Pena

Alaves possible starting lineup:

Sivera; Tenaglia, Abqar, Mourino, Diarra; Guevara, Blanco, Guridi; Vicente, K Garcia, Martin