Preview: Osasuna vs Espanyol – prediction, team news, lineups

Sunday night’s LaLiga fixture at El Sadar pits two sides degree on 42 factors in opposition to one another, with Osasuna and Spanish each figuring out that the ultimate two video games of the season may but decide their high-flight future.

Separated solely by objective distinction in thirteenth and 14th respectively, Manolo Gonzalez‘s facet arrive on the again of a confidence-boosting 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, whereas Alessio Lisci‘s facet have misplaced three consecutive matches and are in determined want of a response.

Match preview

Osasuna head into Sunday’s match sitting thirteenth within the La Liga table with 42 factors from 11 wins, 9 attracts and 16 defeats, and a objective distinction constructed on 43 scored and 47 conceded throughout 36 matchdays.

With solely 4 factors separating eleventh place from nineteenth, the ultimate two video games of the season are something however a formality, and the six factors nonetheless out there may but decide who drops out of the highest flight when the mud settles.

Lisci’s males have been significantly extra reliable at El Sadar than away from it, posting 9 residence wins alongside 5 attracts and 4 defeats in comparison with simply two victories on the street all season, and again-to-again residence fixtures signify a possibility they can’t afford to squander.

Recent type has been deeply regarding, nonetheless, with Osasuna having gained simply eleven of their final 5 matches whereas struggling 4 defeats, together with three consecutive losses which have left them trying anxiously over their shoulders on the sides under them.

The most up-to-date of these defeats came at home against Atletico Madrida 2-1 during which Kike Barja’s ninetieth-minute comfort did little to melt the blow for the house supporters.

Unless Lisci can arrest that slide instantly, Osasuna danger being dragged right into a relegation battle that appeared distant only a month in the past, and Sunday’s fixture couldn’t have come at a extra pivotal second.

Espanyol arrive in a close to-similar scenario, sitting 14th on the identical 42 factors from 11 wins, 9 attracts and 16 defeats, though their objective distinction is barely inferior, 40 scored and 53 conceded, which leaves them under their hosts.

Gonzalez’s facet have additionally struggled on the street this season, amassing simply 4 wins, 5 attracts and 9 defeats away from residence for a return of 17 factors on their travels.

Form throughout the final 5 matches has been equally inconsistent, with Espanyol having gained as soon as, drawn as soon as and misplaced 3 times in that interval – though the timing of that solitary victory may show vital, coming because it did of their most up-to-date outing.

A 2-0 home win over Athletic Bilbaosealed by substitute targets from Pere Milla and Kike, may have lifted spirits within the Espanyol camp and given Gonzalez’s gamers a confidence increase forward of this important away journey.

That victory sealed an emotional first win of 2026 for Gonzalez and his squad, marking their first three factors in 143 days since a 2-1 overcome Athletic Club in December 2025.

The head-to-head document gives little separation both, with Espanyol having claimed a 1-0 win in the newest assembly at their very own floor, whereas throughout the final 5 encounters, Osasuna have gained two, Espanyol one, and two matches have resulted in a draw.

Osasuna La Liga type:

Espanyol La Liga type:

Team News

© Imago / ZUMA Press Wire

Osasuna might be with out Victor Munoz, who’s sidelined with a calf damage forward of Sunday’s fixture.

Ante Budimir will carry the best objective risk for the hosts, with the striker having netted 17 targets in 2,773 minutes this season – together with 5 headed targets and 12 massive possibilities transformed and posing a specific hazard from shut vary and set items.

Ruben Garcia is Osasuna’s chief creator from vast, main the facet with 5 assists whereas additionally delivering 71 corners and creating 21 correct crosses all through the marketing campaign.

Espanyol might be with out Cyril Ngonge, who’s nursing a knock, whereas Javi Puado has been absent since January following a cruciate ligament damage.

Eduardo Exposito is the guests’ most necessary inventive outlet, having registered six assists and accomplished 311 passes into the penalty space this season, and his capacity to dictate the tempo of Espanyol’s play might be central to their possibilities at El Sadar.

Gonzalez will hope the arrogance drawn from the win over Athletic Bilbao carries over, with the attacking gamers who got here off the bench to sign that victory doubtlessly pushing for beginning roles on Sunday

Osasuna potential beginning lineup:

Fernandez; Rosier, Boyomo, Catena, Galan; Moncayola, Torro; Garcia, Gomez, Moro; Budimir

Espanyol potential beginning lineup:

Dmitrovic; Romero, Cabrera, Riedel, El Hilali; Roca, Lozano, Gonzalez de Zarate, Sanchez; Fernandez, Exposito

We say: Osasuna 1-0 Espanyol

Sunday’s fixture has all of the hallmarks of a tense, nervy affair between two sides who can not afford to lose, and that desperation is prone to produce a cagey 90 minutes with few clear openings at both finish.

Osasuna’s document at El Sadar has been their best asset all season, and dealing with an Espanyol facet that has gained simply 4 instances on the street this season, the hosts ought to edge a good contest to maintain their survival hopes firmly in their very own fingers.

For information evaluation of the more than likely outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.