El Sadar will play host to the opening match of the 2022-23 La Liga season, with Osasuna welcoming Sevilla to Pamplona on Friday night with kickoff at 10 pm.
Osasuna were promoted to La Liga for the 2019-20 campaign after winning the Segunda Division in 2018-19, and they have managed to consolidate in the top flight once again.
Los Rojillos were 12 points behind seventh-place Villarreal last season but will again be looking to battle for a top-half finish, and it has been a relatively busy summer in terms of incomings and outgoings.
Moi Gomez, Manu Sanchez, Aitor Fernandez, and Ruben Pena have arrived to boost the squad. In contrast, there have been notable departures in the shape of Cote, Oier Sanjurjo, Rober Ibanez, and Marc Cardona.
Sevilla will play in the Champions League again this season, finishing fourth in Spain’s top flight last year. For long stretches of the campaign, Julen Lopetegui’s side were Real Madrid’s closest challengers for the title. Still, they ultimately finished one point behind third-place Atletico Madrid and three behind second-place Barcelona, with the team picking up 70 points during a strong campaign.
This season, Los Nervionenses will challenge high up the division, but they have lost some important players, including central defenders Jules Kounde and Diego Carlos.
Osasuna vs Sevilla Head to Head
Both sides have 16 games against each other with hosts taking two wins while visitors with fourteen wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Mirandes 1-2 Osasuna
- Osasuna 1-0 Burgos
- Feyernoord 1-2 Osasuna
- FC Groningen 2-1 Osasuna
Away
- Sevilla 1-0 Cadiz
- Leicester City 1-0 Sevilla
- Arsenal 6-0 Sevilla
- Sevilla 6-0 Angers
Osasuna Team News
Osasuna will be without three players on Friday evening because of injuries. Kike Saveiro, Aitor Fernandez and Ante Budimir are all set to miss the contest. Moi Gomez, Manu Sanchez, and Pena are also pushing to make their debuts with the first team, but there is expected to be a similar look to the starting side from last season.
Sevilla Team News
Sevilla is expected to give debuts to Marcao and Telles on Friday, while Isco is pushing to be involved. The 30-year-old might start the contest on the bench in midfield alongside Joan Jordan, Thomas Delaney, and Ivan Rakitic. Lucas Ocampos and Jesus Corona could play as the wide forwards.
Prediction and Odds
Osasuna is a dangerous opponent, and Sevilla may struggle to break down their defence. Therefore, we are predicting a 0-0 draw at Estadio El Sadar.
- Draw
- Correct Score: 1-1
- Double Chance
