MX23RW : Monday, March 8 03:38:59| >> :600:99506:99506:
Jan 27, 2021 at 8pm UK at Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos
AlmeriaAlmeria
0-0
OsasunaOsasuna

Fernandes (116')
FT
(aet)

Garcia (68'), Vidal (72'), Sanjurjo (119')
Almeria win 5-4 on penalties

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

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Copa del Rey clash between Almeria and Osasuna, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Struggling La Liga side Osasuna travel to Segunda Division outfit Almeria in Copa del Rey action on Wednesday night as they do battle for a quarter-final spot.

Almeria recorded an eye-catching victory last time out in Copa del Rey action, thrashing top-flight Alaves 5-0, and they will be hoping to claim another La Liga scalp and secure their place in the final eight of the competition.


Match preview

Osasuna head coach Jagoba Arrasate pictured on January 9, 2021© Reuters

Almeria progressed through the first two rounds of the competition by easing past fourth-tier side L'Hospitalet with a 4-1 away win, and narrowly winning 2-1 away at Segunda Division B side Numancia.

This second win was far from routine for the visitors, with Lucas Robertone scoring an added-time winner and his second of the game to see his side through to the third round where top-flight opposition in the form of Alaves stood in their way.

However, Jose Manuel Gomes's side came through this tough test with flying colours, recording a strong 5-0 win. They went into half time with a three-goal lead courtesy of an Umar Sadiq brace and an Ager Aketxe strike, and their cause was further helped by a red card shown to an Alaves player after half an hour.

Almeria continued this intensity in the second half, forcing an own goal before Juan Villar added a fifth goal from the penalty spot to seal a convincing win for the home side.

It is no coincidence that Gomes's men have reached the final 16 of the Copa del Rey either; his side are currently battling for promotion back to La Liga in their sixth season since relegation from the top flight.

The Rojiblancos currently sit third in the Segunda Division, three points behind Espanyol and Mallorca who are level on points at the top of the table. However, Almeria have a game in hand on these two sides which could see them go level on points with the top two.

This follows a frustrating draw at home last time out, where 18th placed Sabadell scored late to hold Almeria to a point at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, where a victory could have moved Wednesday evening's hosts to just one point behind the top two with the game in hand.

It was Segunda Division leaders Espanyol who Osasuna defeated to reach this stage. Jagoba Arrasate's side recorded a fairly comfortable 2-0 away win at the RCDE Stadium with Javier Martinez Calvo and Kike Barja scoring first-half goals to see the La Liga outfit through to the round of 16.

However, they have somewhat struggled in the league this season after a strong campaign last year. Los Rojillos finished in 10th place in their first season back in the top flight after promotion from the Segunda Division in 2019 but this season they find themselves in a battle to avoid relegation back to the second tier.

Osasuna have recorded just four league wins this season from 20 matches, drawing seven and losing nine. Only Granada, Real Betis and Celta Vigo have conceded more than their 29 league goals. However, these three sides have all been comfortably better going forward than Arraste's side, who have found the back of the net just 19 times in their 20 games.

Despite this, the side from Navarre have been building some form and confidence in recent weeks. They have won three of their last six games in all competitions, losing just one and drawing the other two. This includes a crucial league win over Granada in their last game which lifted them out of the relegation places up to 17th in La Liga.

Ante Budimir scored two goals in the first half and, after the visitors made it 2-1 after 50 minutes, Jon Moncayola scored late to seal an important first league win since October for his side.

They will be hoping to build on this positive result and extend their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions in this cup tie.

Almeria Copa del Rey form: WWW
Almeria form (all competitions): WLWWWD

Osasuna Copa del Rey form: WWW
Osasuna form (all competitions): WDLWDW


Team News

Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera in action against Real Madrid on January 9, 2021© Reuters

Nigerian forward Umar Sadiq is expected to lead the line for Almeria and could cause the Osasuna defence problems in this cup tie.

Sadiq has recorded 10 goals and three assists from 19 appearances in the Segunda Division this season, and two goals in his one Copa del Rey match.

Osasuna are expected to still be without several squad members with injuries. Aridane Hernandez, Darko Brasanac, Adrian Lopez and Ruben all missed the win over Granada with existing injuries, and none of them are expected to be fit enough to make the starting 11 on Wednesday evening.

Facundo Roncaglia was shown a red card late on in the 3-1 win against Granada. However, this suspension does not apply to the Copa del Rey, therefore the defender is eligible to play in this fixture.

Almeria possible starting lineup:
Makaridze; Balliu, Fernandes, Cuenca, Centelles; Costa, Morlanes; Corpas, Carvalho, Aketxe; Sadiq

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Roncaglia, U Garcia, D Garcia, Sanchez; Jony, Lucas Torro, Calvo, Moncayola, R Garcia; Budimir



SM words green background

We say: Almeria 2-1 Osasuna

Despite Osasuna currently sitting a league above their hosts, we see Almeria as narrow favourites in this clash. Having already comfortably defeated La Liga opposition this season, they will be confident of repeating this feat to dump Osasuna out of the Copa del Rey thanks to their superior form so far this season.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win 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.Home Win:data


ID:432070:cQx:QQ:

How you voted: Almeria vs Osasuna

Almeria
64.0%
Osasuna
36.0%
75
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Atletico Madrid's Argentinian coach Diego Simeone gestures during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs RCD Espanyol at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on November 28, 2015.
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico25185248173159
2Barcelona26175457223556
3Real Madrid26166444212354
4Sevilla25153735201548
5Real Sociedad26129543212245
6Real Betis25123103338-539
7Villarreal2681353429537
8Celta Vigo268993440-633
9Granada2696113244-1233
10Athletic Bilbao2596103629733
11Levante2671183535032
12Valencia2679103236-430
13Osasuna2677122335-1228
14CadizCadiz2677122241-1928
15Getafe2676132132-1127
16Real Valladolid26510112537-1225
17ElcheElche2559112337-1424
18EibarEibar26410122029-922
19AlavesAlaves2557132039-1922
20Huesca26311122540-1520

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