Osasuna welcome Champions League-chasing Real Sociedad to Estadio El Sadar on Friday night as Matchday 32 of the 2022-23 La Liga season gets underway.
Fourth-placed Real Sociedad lead eighth-placed Osasuna by 11 points in the La Liga table, with both sides pushing for European football.
El equipo se ejercita hoy a puerta cerrada en Tajonar.¡A por el último entrenamiento antes del #OsasunaRealSociedad! pic.twitter.com/gCsns09DCF— C. A. OSASUNA (@Osasuna) April 27, 2023
El equipo se ejercita hoy a puerta cerrada en Tajonar.¡A por el último entrenamiento antes del #OsasunaRealSociedad! pic.twitter.com/gCsns09DCF
Can the hosts halt Sociedad’s Champions League bid? Or will the visitors further solidify a top-four berth? Let’s take a closer look at both sides.
Osasuna enter Friday’s showdown on the back of a 1-0 victory at Cadiz, despite the hosts racking up 20 shots on Tuesday.
As a result, Los Rojillos have won three of their previous four league outings, securing victories over Elche and Real Betis before defeating Cadiz in midweek.
It is worth noting, however, that only four teams have scored fewer goals than Osasuna’s 29 this season, while 21 of their 31 league games have produced under 2.5 goals.
With a Copa del Rey final showdown against Real Madrid around the corner, Osasuna will be hopeful of finishing the campaign on a high note.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad were held to a goalless draw by Real Betis on Tuesday, although that result enhanced their top-four credentials.
La Real have now won three of their last six La Liga matches, losing just two of their previous eight, so they can start planning for Champions League football next term.
That said, Sociedad have struggled on their travels of late, failing to win any of their last six away games, with four defeats coming during that period.
It is also worth pointing out that Sociedad have failed to score in five of their previous six away outings, so they will be eager to buck that trend on Friday.
Head-to-head: Real Sociedad won the reverse fixture 2-0 back in December, meaning they claimed four consecutive clean-sheet victories over Osasuna.
When you look at the bigger picture, Sociedad have avoided defeat in each of their last 14 league meetings with Osasuna, picking up 10 wins along the way.
Team news: Osasuna currently have midfielder Darko Brasanac sidelined through injury, while Abde Ezzalzouli is suspended after receiving a red card in midweek.
As for Real Sociedad, they will be without the injured trip of Umar Sadiq, Martin Merquelanz and Diego Rico on Friday.
Although Osasuna are enjoying a strong run of form in an impressive campaign, Real Sociedad should have enough quality to claim all three points on Friday.
Forebet predicts that Real Sociedad will notch a low-scoring victory against Osasuna, with the visitors expected to keep a clean sheet.