Osasuna vs Espanyol Predictions & Match Preview

Osasuna vs Espanyol predictions and match preview for Thursday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Diego Martinez’s side head to El Sadar.

Osasuna vs Espanyol Preview

Osasuna and Espanyol face off at El Sadar this week in a game that is not particularly easy to call. The hosts have faded after a really bright start to the season while Espanyol are looking to build on a much needed weekend win.

Jagoba Arrasate’s side were being touted as potential European challengers after an impressive 1-0 win at Almeria last month which made it four wins from five to start the season. However the Pamplona side have hit a real sticky patch since then with defeats against Getafe, Valencia and Villarreal seeing them fall back towards their usual mid-table standing.

Those two recent home defeats will be particularly disappointing as El Sadar does have the potential to be a real fortress for this Osasuna side which is almost always competitive no matter who they play. They were firmly second best in their defeat at Villarreal on Monday though and changes seem highly likely here with Aimar Oroz, Ante Budimir, Abde Ez and Ruben Garcia options to come in.

Espanyol meanwhile claimed their second win of the season last time out, seeing off Real Valladolid 1-0 at the RCDE Stadium. Diego Martinez’s reign hasn’t really experienced lift off yet but they are unbeaten in 3 games now and there is a sense that we are starting to see more from Espanyol, with potentially more to come.

Their star performer has certainly been Joselu who has quickly filled the boots left by the now departed Raul De Tomas. The former Alaves striker was on target again at the weekend and is already on seven goals for the season in LaLiga. He’s clearly enjoying playing in a stronger team and is one of those players who just seems to get better with age having hit 14 goals last season, his best ever LaLiga goals tally.

Team News & Possible Lineups

Osasuna

Possible XI: Herrera – Sanchez, Unai Garcia, David Garcia, Vidal – Gomez, Torro, Oroz – Garcia, Budimir, Abde (4-3-3)

Coach: Jagoba Arrasate

Espanyol

Possible XI: Lecomte – Olivan, Cabrera, Calero, Gil – Exposito, Darder, Souza – Braithwaite, Joselu, Puado (4-3-3)

Coach: Diego Martinez

Score Prediction: Osasuna 0-1 Espanyol

This game could go either way in truth but Espanyol have been the more convincing side in the past few matches and Osasuna have lost home games you wouldn’t necessarily have expected them to. With Joselu in fine form, the visitors might just nick this.

PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.