Following a run of two successive defeats, Osasuna will be looking to bounce back to winning ways when they welcome Espanyol to El Sadar.
While the hosts loss to Villarreal on Monday, the visitors finally picked up their first home victory of the season last time out with a 1-0 win over Real Valladolid.
After a strong start to the season, Osasuna have looked to get off the track in the last few weeks, with three defeats and a draw in their last four matches udoing much of their positive early-season work.
Despite their winless run including an impressive 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu, home defeats to Getafe and Valencia were particularly disappointing for Osasuna, given their prefect record at El Sadar before those matches.
Los Rojillos were organised and well-drilled at Villarreal, as is to be expected under Jagoba Arrasate, but they were lacking incision going forward, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat.
However, returning to Pamplona on Thursday against a side who have shown defensive deficiencies so far this season, Osasuna will be looking to start aggresively, and to draw their vehement home support to see them over the line.
Meanwhile, Espanyol claimed an important victory over Real Valladolid on Sunday, as the unstoppable Joselu scored his seventh goal in just nine appearances for his new club.
The former Newcastle United striker sealed a second victory of the season for his side, as the Catalan club won at home in La Liga for the first time since April.
More pleasing for Espanyol was a long-awaited clean sheet, just their second shutout of the campaign, following a series of direful goalkeeping mistakes that have seen Los Pericos become the third-leakiest defence in La Liga, and they will be under illusions about the stern examination that a trip to El Sadar will provide.
Osasuna vs Espanyol head to head
These two teams have previously met on 35 occasions, where Osasuna have claimed 16 victories while Espanyol have won 11, and they have drawn in eight. Espanyol have scored 36 goals and conceded 44 in the process. In their last five meetings, Osasuna have won three while they have drawn two.
Espanyol 2-4 Osasuna 01/12/19
Osasuna 1-0 Espanyol 08/03/20
Espanyol 0-2 Osasuna 17/01/21
Osasuna 0-0 Espanyol 14/08/21
Espanyol 1-1 Osasuna 08/05/22
Osasuna latest home form
Osasuna have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, as they have lost each of their two most recent matches. They were beaten 2-1 by Valencia in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded six.
Osasuna 2-1 Sevilla 12/08/22
Osasuna 2-0 Cadiz 20/08/22
Osasuna 2-1 Rayo Vallecano 04/09/22
Osasuna 0-2 Getafe 18/09/22
Osasuna 1-2 Valencia 07/10/22
Osasuna latest away form
Osasuna have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They lost 2-0 to Villarreal in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and also conceded four.
Real Betis 1-0 Osasuna 26/08/22
Almeria 0-1 Osasuna 12/09/22
Real Valladolid 0-2 Osasuna 22/09/22
Real Madrid 1-1 Osasuna 02/10/22
Villarreal 2-0 Osasuna 17/10/22
Espanyol latest home form
Espanyol managed to defeat Real Valladolid 1-0 in their last home game in the league. However, they have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having been winless in their previous five games. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and conceded 10.
Espanyol 0-2 Rayo Vallecano 19/08/22
Espanyol 1-3 Real Madrid 28/08/22
Espanyol 2-3 Sevilla 10/09/22
Espanyol 2-2 Valencia 02/10/22
Espanyol 1-0 Real Valladolid 16/10/22
Espanyol latest away form
Espanyol have recently been on a relatively good run of form on the road, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They drew 2-2 with Cadiz in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored six goals and also conceded six.
Napoli 0-0 Espanyol 06/08/22
Celta Vigo 2-2 Espanyol 13/08/22
Athletic Bilbao 0-1 Espanyol 04/09/22
Real Sociedad 2-1 Espanyol 18/09/22
Cadiz 2-2 Espanyol 09/10/22
Osasuna news
Osasuna’s Unai Garcia will retrun to the centre of defence after serving a one-game suspension, while Ruben Pena will be unavailable due to a three-game ban.
Arrasate will be left with a few selection options heading into the contest, with Ante Budimir, Abde Ezzalzouli and Aimar Oroz all vying for starts.
Espanyol news
Espanyol will be able to welcome back Martin Braithwaite following the completion of his three-game suspension, after two goals and an assist in his first four appearances for the club.
Adria Pedrosa could miss out once again, while Benjamin Lecomte should continue in goal after a first clean sheet for the visitors.
Prediction and Odds
Osasuna head into the contest desperate of a win and will count on their passionate home support to cheer them up on the visit of Espanyol.
While we expect the visitors to find the back of the net due to the red-hot form of Joselu, we are predicting a much-needed victory for the hosts.
Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.05 2 3.01
Probable outcomes
Osasuna 1-0 Espanyol
Osasuna 2-0 Espanyol
Osasuna 2-1 Espanyol
Osasuna 0-0 Espanyol
Osasuna 1-1 Espanyol
