Two prior La Liga fixtures against Real Sociedad (home) and Barcelona (away) are sure to test whether Osasuna truly belong amongst Spain’s contenders for European competition, especially as defeats in both could make qualifying via the league tremendously difficult.
Osasuna
When they step out on to La Cartuja for their Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid in early May, Osasuna could very well know if that remains their only path to continental football next season. Two prior La Liga fixtures against Real Sociedad (home) and Barcelona (away) are sure to test whether they truly belong amongst Spain’s contenders for European competition, especially as defeats in both could make qualifying via the league tremendously difficult. That’s not to mention also hosting Athletic Club and Girona later in the season, which could be potentially cut-throat games themselves! Yet, after a breakthrough 3-2 win against Betis in their last La Liga home start, Osasuna will be hoping they’ve finally unlocked the formula required to conquer the league’s better clubs after previously failing to defeat any team starting this round above them in the standings.
Real Sociedad
Real Sociedad have a similar issue that threatens to deny them the fourth place they currently hold and the Champions League campaign that comes with it. They failed to beat Betis for a second time this La Liga season last round, and still have to take on each of the league’s top-three clubs on the run home, all of whom they’re also yet to win against. Whilst they were successful in the reverse H2H on New Year’s Eve (2-0), the visitors are going to have to break new ground to complete the double here, having not yet scored this La Liga season away to any club starting this round in the top-eight. However, given the team that scored first has recorded 13 wins across Sociedad’s 16 La Liga away fixtures this season, success could be as simple as netting the opener!
After collecting his second goal of the La Liga season two appearances ago, Osasuna winger Moi Gomez will be hoping to end a run of 12 competitive H2Hs without a goal! A positive start for Sociedad could come via Takefusa Kubo, who has scored within the opening hour in five La Liga matches this season. Sociedad have never lost to Osasuna in any competition during Imanol Algaucil’s tenure.