Sports Mole previews Sunday’s La Liga clash between Osasuna and Real Betis, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Real Betis will look to strengthen their grip on a European position in the La Liga table when they travel to the Estadio El Sadar on Sunday afternoon to face Osasuna.
The visitors are seventh in the division, two points ahead of eighth-placed Valencia, while Osasuna are 11th, 10 points behind their opponents in the Spanish top flight this weekend.
Match Preview
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Osasuna finished seventh in La Liga last season, as well as reaching the Copa del Rey final, but they have failed to reach those heights this season, currently sitting in 11th position.
Los Rojillos have, however, secured a fifth consecutive campaign at this level of football, and they can still claim a first-half finish, four points behind 10th-placed Getafe in the standings.
Osasuna, who have won 11, drawn six and lost 16 of their 33 league matches this season, will enter the clash with Real Betis on the back of three consecutive defeats against Valencia, Rayo Vallecano and Granada.
The team’s last success was a 3-0 win at Almeria on March 30, but they have been beaten in five of their last six matches at this level, and there are some tough games ahead before the end of the season, against Athletic Bilbao. , Mallorca, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.
There will be a big change at Osasuna this summer, with their head coach Jagoba Arrasate is preparing to retire in search of a new challenge, and it will be fascinating to see who replaces him at the end of the season.
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Real Betis scored seven points from their last three league matches last weekend when they drew 1-1 against Sevilla in the Seville derby; Isco sent Manuel Pellegrinithe team advanced in the 38th minute from the penalty spot, before Kike Salas leveled the scores early in the second period.
The Green and Whites are currently seventh in the table, which would see them qualify for the Conference League playoff rounds, but they are just two points behind sixth-placed Real Sociedad, with that place meaning qualification for the Europa League group stage.
However, Real Betis are under pressure from Valencia and Villarreal, and Getafe are not out of the equation when it comes to seventh place either, so they cannot afford to finish the season poorly.
Pellegrini’s side finished sixth last season, and it was another solid campaign for the club, but too many draws (12) cost them a place higher in the division.
Real Betis will be looking to complete a league double against Osasuna, having recorded a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture earlier this season, but their hosts were 3-2 winners in the corresponding match last season.
Osasuna form in La Liga:
Real Betis La Liga form:
Team News
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Osasuna has four players missing due to injury concerns, including David Garcia, Ante Budimir, Aimar Oroz And Kike Barja unavailable for selection.
The home side did not face any further problems against Granada, but head coach Arrasate is expected to make changes due to the disappointing performance.
Pablo Ibanez, Lucas Torro And Jose Arnaiz are all likely to start on Sunday, but there could also be a change at left-back, with Juan Cruz in the running to enter the XI.
Real Betis will be without Isco’s services due to suspension, with the striker picking up a scoring yellow card in the Seville derby last time out.
Cedric Bakambu also came out of the problem that forced him off at the start of the second half against Sevilla, while Hector Bellerin, Ezequiel Avila And Marc Bartra remain sidelined due to injury concerns.
Willian Jose expected to come into the team as a center forward due to Bakambu’s injury, while Nabil Fekir is likely the player who will benefit from Isco’s absence this weekend.
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Areso, Catena, Herrando, Cruz; Ibanez, Torro, M Gomez; Rubén Garcia, Arnaiz, Pena
Real Betis possible starting line-up:
Silva; Sabaly, Pezzella, Riad, Miranda; Rodriguez, Cardoso; Fornals, Fekir, Pérez; Willian Jose
We say: Osasuna 1-2 Real Betis
Real Betis have won just four of their 16 away league matches this season, but Osasuna are in very poor form, and we’re backing the hosts to suffer their 17th league defeat of the campaign on Sunday , Real Betis strengthening its European ranking. hopes in the process.
For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.
