MX23RW : Monday, January 11 22:30:40| >> :120:3605:3605:
Dec 22, 2020 at 4.30pm UK at Martinez Valero
ElcheElche
2-2
OsasunaOsasuna
Fidel (46'), Carrillo (78')
Carrillo (84')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Garcia (10'), Brasanac (64')
Perez (73')
Perez (90+2')

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

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's La Liga clash between Elche and Osasuna, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Osasuna make the trip to face Elche on Tuesday evening with the opportunity to move level on points with their opponents in the La Liga standings.

Both sides have failed to win any of their last half a dozen fixtures, heaping the pressure on each manager ahead of the end of the year.


Match preview

Elche manager Jorge Almiron pictured while in charge of San Lorenzo in May 2019© Reuters

On the back of their 10th-placed finish last season, Osasuna boss Jagoba Arrasate would have expected more of the same from his squad as they bid to establish themselves as a mid-table club.

Despite a solid opening to the new campaign, five defeats in six matches have left Los Rojillos at the bottom of the standings, having played a game more than some of the teams above them.

Arrasate will be relieved that Osasuna remain within a couple of victories of teams sitting in and around 10th spot, although such a run appears a dream when the team's defence is performing so poorly.

Twelve goals have been conceded in their last four outings, their most recent fixture ending in a 3-1 reverse at home to Champions-League-chasing Villarreal.

Although Arrasate will take the positives from remaining competitive with 10 men for much of the game, his side need to move out of last spot if belief is going to improve at El Sadar.

While Elche have collected just three points more than the visitors, Jorge Almiron's team have conceded seven goals fewer than their upcoming opponents.

Almost a quarter of the 14 strikes which have been shipped this season came during Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid, highlighting the character which has been shown by Los Franjiverdes throughout this campaign.

Goals remain a big issue for this side, although claiming four successive low-scoring draws before setbacks against Granada and Atletico Madrid is what has kept Elche outside of the drop zone.

Lucas Boye netted his third La Liga strike of the campaign at Wanda Metropolitano, taking him to the top of the club's scoring charts.

Elche La Liga form: DDDDLL
Elche form (all competitions): DDDLWL

Osasuna La Liga form: LDLLLL
Osasuna form (all competitions): DLLLWL


Team News

Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate in August 2019.© Reuters

Osasuna will be without defender Aridane Hernandez after his early red card against Villarreal.

Unai Garcia is likely to come into the middle of the backline, while Kike Barja is pushing for a start in the final third.

After their respectable showing against the league leaders, Almiron may opt against making may alterations to his Elche XI.

John Donald could drop out of the side after being withdrawn at half time against Atletico, with Juan Sanchez Nino potentially featuring at left-back.

Elche possible starting lineup:
Badia; Barragan, Verdu, Josema, Nino; Guti, Marcone, Fidel; Josan, Boye, Morente

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Vidal, U.Garcia, D.Garcia, Cruz; R.Garcia, Moncayola, Sanjurjo, Torres; Barja, Budimir


SM words green background

We say: Elche 1-1 Osasuna

Given the amount of goals which they have conceded in recent matches, you have to expect a defensive-minded performance from the visitors. With the home side struggling for goals, such an approach may result in a low-scoring draw being played on Tuesday night.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a draw or an away 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.Draw/Away:data


ID:427312:cQx

How you voted: Elche vs Osasuna

Elche
57.5%
Draw
24.7%
Osasuna
17.8%
73
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico1512212962338
2Real Madrid18114330151537
3Barcelona18104437172034
4Villarreal188822617932
5Real Sociedad1986529161330
6Sevilla169342113830
7Granada177371929-1024
8Celta Vigo186572228-623
9CadizCadiz186571522-723
10Real Betis187292231-923
11Levante175662324-121
12Athletic Bilbao186392122-121
13Getafe175571518-320
14Valencia184772425-119
15EibarEibar184771518-319
16AlavesAlaves184681623-718
17Real Valladolid184681625-918
18ElcheElche163761421-716
19Osasuna173681525-1015
20Huesca181981428-1412

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