La Liga | Gameweek 17

Dec 14, 2024 at 1pm UK

RCDE Stadium

Espanyolvs.Osasuna

Match preview

Espanyol boast a record of four wins, one draw and 10 defeats from their 15 league matches this season, which has left them in 18th spot in the table on 13 points, two points behind 17th-placed Leganes with a game in hand.

The Catalans secured a return to La Liga for the 2024-25 season through the Segunda Division play-offs last season and have won four top-flight matches this term, but their 10 defeats are the second-most in the league behind Real Valladolid's 11.

Manolo Gonzalez's side have lost four of their last five games in all competitions, including a 1-0 defeat at Getafe in La Liga last weekend, although they did beat Celta Vigo 3-1 in their last home game.

All four of Espanyol's league victories this term have come in front of their own supporters, and their next two league games will be played at the RCDE Stadium before a trip to Las Palmas in 2024.

The White and Blues haven't beaten Osasuna in La Liga since February 2017, but three of the last four meetings have ended in draws, including a 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture in 2022-23.

Osasuna come into this clash off the back of a 2-2 draw with Alaves and have shared the points in their last three league games, drawing with Villarreal and Sevilla after a heavy defeat at Real Madrid.

Vicente Moreno's side are unbeaten in their last four matches, but their only win in that period came against Ceuta in the Copa del Rey, and their last league victory came against Real Valladolid in early November.

Los Rojillos have won six, drawn six and lost four of their 16 league games this term, picking up 24 points to sit seventh in the table.

Osasuna are just two points behind fifth-placed Villarreal, but they will need to tighten up their defence if they are to be considered as a potential European contender this term, having conceded 25 goals in their 16 games.

The Pamplona side finished 11th in La Liga last season, but they were seventh in 2022-23 and certainly have the squad to challenge for a top-half finish this term.

Recent Performance

Espanyol La Liga form:LLLLWL

Espanyol form (all competitions):WLLWLL

Osasuna La Liga form:WWLDDD

Osasuna form (all competitions):WLDDWD

Team News

Espanyol will be without Salvi Sanchez, Jose Gragera and Fernando Calero through injury on Saturday, while Omar El Hilali and Jofre Carreras are suspended after picking up yellow cards in their last outing against Getafe.

Alvaro Tejero is expected to benefit from El Hilali's ban and will start at right-back, while Antoniu Roca is in line to replace Carreras.

There is some good news on the availability front, however, as Marash Kumbulla has returned from a suspension of his own and will return to the heart of the defence for the clash with Osasuna.

The visitors will be without the services of Jose Arnaiz and Bryan Zaragoza due to injury, while Jon Moncayola is suspended following the yellow card he received against Alaves last time out.

Iker Munoz is expected to replace Moncayola in the middle of midfield, but otherwise Osasuna could go unchanged from the Alaves game, meaning another start for Ante Budimir in the middle.

Ruben Garcia was on the scoresheet last time out and should retain his place on the left, while Abel Bretones is expected to start on the right for the away side on Saturday afternoon.

Possible starting lineup

Espanyol possible starting lineup:

J Garcia; Tejero, Kumbulla, Cabrera, Olivan; Roca, Kral, Lozano, Smith, Puado; I Cardona

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Areso, Catena, Boyomo, Cruz; Munoz, Torro; Ruben Garcia, Oroz, Bretones; Budimir