Sports Mole previews Sunday’s La Liga clash between Osasuna and Girona, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Two clubs battling for Europa Conference League qualification will go head-to-head when health welcome Girona to El Sadar on Sunday.
Osasuna will start the contest in seventh place in the La Liga tablebut the visitors are just one point adrift in ninth position.
Match preview
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Osasuna may be sad to see the end of a successful 2022-23 campaign, where they reached their second-ever Copa del Rey final, falling just short against Real Madrid.
They missed out on qualifying for Europa via the domestic cup competition, but they still have the chance of gracing the continent next season, with Jagoba Arrasate‘s side in pole position to secure a place in the Europa Conference League.
Despite giving up a lead to lose 2-1 against Getafe last weekend, Osasuna have their fate in their own hands, and they will end their 16-year wait for European football if they record a victory, while a draw will be enough if Athletic Club, Rayo Vallecano and Sevilla all drop points.
After losing their last three away La Liga matches, Osasuna will be grateful to play their final game of the season in front of their own support at El Sadar.
Impressively, Los Rojillos have won four of their previous five home league matches, and they have the chance to record three successive home victories this weekend.
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After winning promotion via the Segunda division playoffs last season, Girona have gone on to exceed all expectations this season, and they could cap off a memorable campaign with European qualification.
However, Girona’s European pursuit has lost significant momentum in recent weeks, with their last four matches producing two draws and two defeats.
Michel‘s side took the lead in their most recent outing against Real Betis thanks to Miguel Gutierrez‘s opener, but a second-half brace from Borja Iglesias condemned Girona to a second straight 2-1 home defeat.
Girona are now preparing for their first-ever La Liga away meeting with Osasuna, and they will need to record a victory and hope that eighth-placed Athletic Bilbao drop points against Real Madrid if they are to sneak into seventh position.
Only the top three have scored more La Liga goals than Girona, who have racked up a 68-goal tally in 37 matches this term, and they will look to put that firepower to good use on Sunday.
Osasuna La Liga form:
Osasuna form (all competitions):
Girona La Liga form:
Team News
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The hosts are still unable to call upon Nacho Vidal and Darko Brasanacbut Me Gomez is expected to return to the matchday squad after a short spell on the sidelines.
Jon Moncaola dropped down to the bench last weekend, but he is expected to feature in the Osasuna midfield on Sunday.
Arrasate could recall Before Budemir to the starting lineup after the Croatia international missed the defeat to Getafe through suspension.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Toni Villa, Ibrahima Kebe, Joel Rock, Ricardo Artero and santiago good.
Rodrigo Riquelme and Ivan Martin have recovered from their injury issues, but Michel has revealed that Juanpe is a doubt.
Taty Castellanos has scored 13 league goals this season, and the Argentine will have the chance to add to his tally when he leads the line at El Sadar.
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Pena, Hernandez, D. Garcial, Sanchez; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; R. Garcia, Abbot; Budemir
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Martinez, Lopez, Bernardo, Gutierrez; Tsygankov, Reinier, Romeu, Martin, Riquelme; castilian
We say: Osasuna 2-1 Girona
Girona’s European bid appears to have run out of steam with a four-game winless run, and we think that the visitors will fall to a narrow defeat against an Osasuna side that have won four of their last five home league matches.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data
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