Preview: Athletic Bilbao vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups

Jagoba Arrasate's 11th-placed Osasuna side will make the short trip to the Basque Country this weekend for their La Liga clash with Athletic Bilbao at San Memes.

In typical mid-table fashion, a win for either of these sides will not alter their respective league positions in any way, but bragging rights are up for grabs and neither Arrasate nor Marcelino will likely entertain the prospect of losing for very long.

Match preview

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After a vast improvement in form under the stewardship of Marcelino, Athletic's campaign appears to have plateaued in recent weeks, with the spectre of mid-table mediocrity looming over their run-in.

Marcelino's men have gone unbeaten in eight matches, but they have only won two during that time, picking up 12 points in the process.

Against Sevilla last time out, Athletic pulled off the spectacular and beat Julen Lopetegui's high-flying Andalusians 1-0, with Inaki Williams scoring the only goal of the game in the 90th minute.

While victory will not do wonders for Athletic this weekend, a win could bring them three points closer to the distant dream of European qualification.

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After a horrible start to the campaign, Arrasate's Osasuna side have managed to turn things around in spectacular fashion, with a string of positive results.

Osasuna have won three of their last eight games, losing just two in the process and picking up 12 points.

Last time out against Real Madrid, Osasuna were beaten 2-0, with Eder Militao and Casemiro picking up the vital goals in the second half.

Arrasate's men have been good on their travels this season, with the team picking up 17 points in total on the road.

Three points for Osasuna could see the Pamplona-based side come within a point of 10th-placed Celta Vigo.

Team News

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Athletic are in the midst of an injury crisis at the moment, with a host of first-team regulars unavailable for this tie.

Marcelino will be without Raul Garcia, Inigo Martinez, Dani Garcia, Ander Capa, Yuri Berchiche and skipper Iker Muniain.

For Osasuna, fan favourite Chimy Avila looks to be getting back to match fitness, but he is yet to complete 90 minutes this season.

Defender Oier is suspended for this tie and Jonathan Calleri is out injured.

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; De Marcos, Nunez, Alvarez, Balenziaga; Alex Berenguer, Vencedor, Vesga, Morcillo; Villalibre, Williams

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Nacho Vidal, Aridane, D Garcia, Sanchez; Torres, Moncayola, Lucas Torro, Martinez, R Garcia; Avila

We say: Athletic Bilbao 1-1 Osasuna

While this game will influence final league positions, it is in many respects a dead rubber and that is likely to be reflected in how the players go about their business on Saturday. Both teams are also very compact defensive units and a draw is a likely outcome.