Copa del Rey | Quarter-Finals

Feb 6, 2025 at 6.30pm UK

Reale Arena

Real Sociedad vs Osasuna

Match preview

Real Sociedad have been on a poor run of form of late, losing four of their last five games in all competitions.

La Real suffered league defeats to Valencia and Getafe, as well as a 3-1 Conference defeat to Lazio, before bouncing back with a 2-0 European win over PAOK to book their place in the knockout rounds.

Unfortunately for Real Sociedad, they were unable to build on their European success in their home league clash with Osasuna on Sunday, with Orri Oskarsson's late strike proving a consolation in a 2-1 defeat.

With just four points from their last six league games, Real Sociedad are languishing in 11th place, four points adrift of the top six.

La Real will now put their league campaign on hold to concentrate on the Copa del Rey, where Imanol Alguacil's side will be playing in the quarter-finals for the fourth successive year after seeing off the likes of Jove Espanol, Conquense, Ponferradina and Rayo Vallecano.

The three-time Copa del Rey winners will be fired up about their chances of reaching the semi-finals for the second year running, having won seven of their last nine home games in all competitions.

While Real Sociedad will be looking to win the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2019-20, Osasuna will be dreaming of lifting their first major trophy after falling just short in 2021-22.

In that memorable run, Los Rojillos reached their second Copa del Rey final, only to lose 2-1 to Real Madrid in the final.

Osasuna are in the quarter-finals of the 2024/25 competition after eliminating Chiclana, Ceuta and Tenerife before an Ante Budimir brace led them to a 3-2 away win over holders Athletic Bilbao in the last 16 last month.

Los Rojillos followed up that cup success with league draws against Rayo and Las Palmas, before overcoming Real Sociedad at the weekend to claim their first La Liga win since beating Real Valladolid in early November and move up to eighth in the table.

The visitors will take inspiration from the fact that they have won their last two away games against Real Sociedad, including a 2-0 victory on their last visit to the Reale Arena in October.

Lucas Torro and Budimir both scored on that occasion to give Osasuna all three points and the result remains their most recent away win in La Liga.

Recent Performance

Real Sociedad Copa del Rey form:WWWW

Real Sociedad form (all competitions):WLLLWL

Osasuna Copa del Rey form:WWWW

Osasuna form (all competitions):WLWDDW

Team News

Real Sociedad defender Hamari Traore is continuing his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Alvaro Odriozola is expected to miss a second consecutive game with a rib problem.

Alguacil could be tempted to make changes to the side that lost at the weekend, with Aihen Munoz and Sergio Gomez among those in contention to start Thursday's cup tie.

Oskarsson is also pushing for a starting place after scoring three goals in Real Sociedad's last two matches.

Meanwhile, Osasuna head coach Vicente Moreno has the luxury of fielding a full-strength side, with no injury concerns ahead of the away trip.

Bryan Zaragoza returned from injury as a late substitute on Sunday, and while it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to start, the winger will at least be a potential game-changing option off the bench in the quarter-final.

Budimir will remain Osasuna's main goal threat after netting 15 times in 25 competitive appearances this season, including three goals in the Copa del Rey.

Possible starting lineup

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Kubo, Zubimendi, Sucic, Gomez; Oyarzabal, Oskarsson

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Areso, Boyomo, Catena, Cruz; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Ru. Garcia, Barja, Budimir