MX23RW : Monday, July 20 12:29:17| >> :600:105434:105434:
Jul 2, 2020 at 6.30pm UK at Ipurua Municipal Stadium
EibarEibar
0-2
OsasunaOsasuna

Rober (4')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Castro (6', 74')
Gallego (45+1')

Preview: Eibar vs. Osasuna - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's La Liga fixture between Eibar and Osasuna, including team news and predicted lineups.

Eibar play host to Osasuna on Thursday evening with the opportunity to boost their chances of avoiding relegation from La Liga.

While the home side currently sit nine points above the bottom three, 11th-placed Osasuna are bidding to move into the top half of the standings.


Match preview

Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate in August 2019.© Reuters

After witnessing his side fail to win any of their first three games upon the resumption of action, Osasuna boss Jagoba Arrasate would have had concerns that his team could still find themselves in a relegation battle.

However, back-to-back wins have lightened the mood at the El Sadar Stadium, effectively ensuring that the club have retained their top-flight status for another 12 months.

Although the narrow victories came against struggling Alaves and Leganes, they have provided last season's second-tier champions with the opportunity to claim an unlikely top-10 finish.

Of the league's big-hitters, only a trip to Barcelona lies in wait for Los Rojillos, only increasing the optimism which is now being felt by Arraste.

He will hope to see more from Enric Gallego, whose double against Leganes represented his first two goals of the season in all competitions.

Despite sitting six points adrift of opponents who have recorded maximum points from their last two outings, Eibar are the form team heading into this game.

Eight points have come from four fixtures, all of which came against clubs who are attempting to earn a place in next season's Europa League.

All things considered, those results are likely to make the difference when it comes to survival and relegation, and Jose Luis Mendilibar will feel that another triumph on Thursday will be more than enough to finish ahead of the bottom three.

While they face the possibility of failing to improve on last season's 12th position, a strong end to the campaign should keep Mendilibar in the dugout for a sixth year.

Eibar La Liga form: LLDDWW

Osasuna La Liga form: WDLLWW


Team News

Eibar's Pablo De Blasis celebrates scoring against Barcelona in La Liga on May 19, 2019© Reuters

Having scored his first goal of the season against Granada, Pablo De Blasis should retain his place on Eibar's right flank.

Barring any late fitness issues, Mendilibar could retain the same starting lineup after a four-day gap between games.

With Osasuna having an extra 24 hours of recovery, Arraste may also keep alterations down to a minimum.

After providing the assist for Gallego's dramatic last-gasp winner, Inigo Perez is in contention for a recall to the side.

Jon Moncayola may also be considered for a spot in the centre of midfield, potentially in place of Darko Brasanac.

Eibar possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Correa, Burgos, Bigas, Soares; Alvarez, Diop; Blasis, Orellana, Inui; Garcia

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Vidal, U.Garcia, Hernandez, Estupinan; Torres, Moncayola, Merida, R.Garcia; Lopez, Gallego


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Eibar 1-1 Osasuna

With Osasuna having less pressure on their shoulders, we expect them to throw more caution to the wind than their hosts. However, with Eibar potentially being content with simply avoiding defeat, this game could end in a draw.


ID:404388:

Who will win Thursday's La Liga clash between Eibar and Osasuna?

Eibar
Draw
Osasuna
Eibar
40.3%
Draw
37.3%
Osasuna
22.4%
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Casemiro celebrates scoring with Real Madrid teammates on June 28, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38269370254587
2Barcelona38257686384882
3Atletico MadridAtletico381816451272470
4Sevilla381913654342070
5Villarreal381861463491460
6Real Sociedad38168145648856
7Granada38168145245756
8Getafe381412124337654
9Valencia381411134653-753
10Osasuna381313124654-852
11Athletic Bilbao381312134138351
12Levante38147174753-649
13Real Valladolid38915143243-1142
14EibarEibar38119183956-1742
15Real Betis381011174860-1241
16AlavesAlaves38109193459-2539
17Celta Vigo38716153749-1237
18Leganes38812183051-2136
RMallorca3896234065-2533
REspanyol38510232758-3125

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