La Liga | Gameweek 12

Nov 2, 2024 at 1pm UK

Estadio El Sadar

Osasuna vs Valladolid

Match preview

Osasuna have won five, drawn three and lost three of their 11 La Liga games this term, picking up a total of 18 points to sit eighth in the table, just three points behind third-placed Villarreal.

Vicente Moreno's side come into the game on the back of an excellent away win last weekend, when they beat Real Sociedad 2-0, with Lucas Torro and Ante Budimir finding the net in the outstanding victory.

Osasuna have scored 16 times in the Spanish top flight this season, but they have also conceded 16 and may need to tighten up defensively if they are to become a potential European contender this term.

The hosts have won four of their last five games in front of their own fans, but were beaten 2-1 by Real Betis in their last outing at El Sadar and will be looking to bounce back in their final home game before the November international break.

Osasuna have lost just one of their last nine La Liga matches against Real Valladolid, although there have been five draws in that period, including a 0-0 draw when the two sides last met in February.

Real Valladolid gained some confidence earlier this week when Paulo Pezzolano's side progressed to the second round of the Copa del Rey with a 4-1 win over Asturias.

It was their second win in their last three games in all competitions, having also beaten Alaves 3-2 away in mid-October, but they lost 2-1 at home to Villarreal in La Liga last weekend.

A difficult 2024-25 campaign has so far seen the White and Violets take just eight points from 11 games, leaving them 19th in the standings, one point above basement club Valencia.

Real Valladolid have scored just nine times in the league this season, while they have conceded 23 goals, the worst defensive record in the league - a worrying statistic as they battle to avoid relegation this term.

Pezzolano's side finished second in the Segunda Division last season to secure a return to the top flight, and they are aiming to make it successive campaigns at this level of football for the first time since 2021.

Recent Performance

Osasuna La Liga form:WDWDLW

Real Valladolid La Liga form:DLLLWL

Real Valladolid form (all competitions):LLLWLW

Team News

Osasuna will once again be without Ruben Garcia due to a muscle problem, but otherwise the home side are in good shape ahead of their clash with Real Valladolid.

Given the nature of the performance and result against Real Sociedad, it would not be surprising to see the same XI take to the field, with Budimir once again leading the line.

Bryan Zaragoza and Ruben Pena should continue in wide positions for the home side, while Aimar Oroz is likely to be preferred to Pablo Ibanez in a three-man midfield.

For Real Valladolid, Cesar de la Hoz remains sidelined with a back problem, while Cenk Ozkacar is still nursing a hamstring strain and is unlikely to be available this weekend.

Juanmi Latasa scored a brace against Astur in the Copa del Rey last time out, but that may not be enough for him to start this weekend, with the Spaniard likely to drop to the bench.

Coach Pezzolano will make a number of changes to the side that started the cup tie, with Raul Moro, Javi Sanchez, Mario Martin and Mamadou Sylla all likely to return.

Possible starting lineups

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Areso, Catena, Boyomo, Cruz; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Pena, Budimir, Zaragoza

Real Valladolid possible starting lineup:

Hein; Perez, Sanchez, Torres, Rosa; Martin, Comert; Tuhami, Amallah, Moro; Sylla