La Liga: Osasuna Vs Alaves – Match preview

Osasuna possess a strong prior record in this fixture and have in fact defeated Alaves in 60 per cent of La Liga H2Hs, their highest such percentage versus any opponent they’ve faced more than five times in this competition.

Osasuna

Osasuna suffered a heavy 4-1 loss at Real Betis in the last round of La Liga action, a result that leaves Jagoba Arrasate’s side now almost certainly destined for a mid-table finish. It also continued the club’s trend of alternating between wins and losses across their previous five league outings, though home fans would be happy for that streak to continue here against Alaves after that loss last weekend. Osasuna possess a strong prior record in this fixture and have in fact defeated Alaves in 60 per cent of La Liga H2Hs, their highest such percentage versus any opponent they’ve faced more than five times in this competition. That was aided by a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture that came via two first-half strikes, though as Osasuna have now scored just one of their prior five home league goals before the break, a slow start wouldn’t surprise here.

Alaves

It’s simply a matter of now or never for rock-bottom visitors Alaves who begin this latest matchday six points adrift of safety after losing three La Liga matches in succession, the last a 4-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Last relegated from La Liga in 2005/06, it looks a tall order to survive the drop this campaign, especially as Alaves have now won just one of their last 18 league outings! In torrid form on the road, Alaves now hold La Liga’s joint-worst away record after picking up just six points from 15 trips this campaign, and a slow start could potentially cost them dear again, as the visitors have failed to win after conceding first on the road all season long.

Kike Garcia’s last two Osasuna goals have come beyond the 88th minute, and he’s scored five goals across 11 previous H2Hs. Meanwhile, Gonzalo Escalante has netted three times across Alavés’ last five matches, all as his side’s opener. Alavés have conceded the opening goal 21 times in La Liga this season – the competition’s worst tally.