La Liga | Gameweek 20

Jan 19, 2025 at 5.30pm UK

Estadio El Sadar

Osasuna vs Rayo Vallecano

Match preview

Osasuna go into Sunday's clash on the back of a 3-2 victory over Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey last-16 on Thursday night, which knocked the holders out of the competition.

However, Vicente Moreno's side lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid in La Liga last weekend and are currently on a seven-game winless streak in La Liga, dating back to the start of November against Real Valladolid.

Los Rojillos finished 11th in La Liga last season and that is the position they occupy after 19 games of the 2024-25 campaign, with a record of six wins, seven draws and six defeats to collect 25 points.

Nine points clear of the relegation zone and just three points behind seventh-placed Real Sociedad, Osasuna have enjoyed a solid first half of the season and will certainly have their sights set on a top-10 finish.

Los Rojillos have the fifth-best home record in La Liga this season, taking 18 points from their 10 games in front of their own fans, while Rayo have 13 points from their 10 away games.

Rayo were also involved in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, but were knocked out of the competition by Real Sociedad 3-1, leaving the capital side to concentrate on the league for the rest of the season.

Inigo Perez's side beat Celta Vigo 2-1 in La Liga last weekend and are unbeaten in their last five top-flight games, including draws with Real Madrid and Villarreal in December.

Los Franjirrojos have the same record as Osasuna this term - six wins, seven draws and six defeats from 19 games - but they sit ninth on the table on head-to-head points, having beaten Sunday's opponents 3-1 in Madrid earlier this season.

Rayo have enjoyed their recent encounters with Osasuna, winning three of their last four La Liga meetings, although they suffered a 1-0 defeat on their last trip to El Sadar in December 2023.

The capital side finished a disappointing 17th last term, so there is plenty of room for improvement this term and it is hard to see them being dragged into a relegation battle.

Recent Performance

Osasuna La Liga form:DDDDLL

Osasuna form (all competitions):DDLWLW

Rayo Vallecano La Liga form:LWDDDW

Rayo Vallecano form (all competitions):DDDWWL

Team News

Osasuna will be without the services of Bryan Zaragoza due to a broken metatarsal, but the rest of the team is in excellent shape, with Iker Munoz making his comeback from injury from the bench against Athletic.

Ante Budimir scored a brace in Osasuna's win over Athletic and will certainly start in the final third, with the experienced striker having netted 10 times in the Spanish top flight this season.

Ruben Garcia should also retain his place, but there are likely to be changes from Thursday's game, with Abel Bretones, Jorge Herrando and Moi Gomez all in contention for a place in the starting line-up.

Rayo will be without Pathe Ciss through suspension, while Joni Montiel and Raul de Tomas are unavailable.

Coach Perez made changes for the Copa del Rey clash with Real Sociedad, but the likes of Adri Embarba, Isi Palazon, Unai Lopez, Sergio Camello and Pep Chavarria will be recalled this weekend.

There is also likely to be a place at right-back for Andrei Ratiu, who is believed to have caught the eye of Real Madrid with his impressive performances during the 2024-25 season.

Possible starting lineup

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Pena, Boyomo, Catena, Herrando, Bretones; Ibanez, Torro, M Gomez; Ruben Garcia, Budimir

Rayo Vallecano possible starting lineup:

Cardenas; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria; De Frutos, U Lopez, Valentin, Embarba; Camello, Palazon