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

Bottom-of-the-league Huesca will entertain Osasuna at El Alcoraz on Saturday afternoon in a clash that could have big implications on this season's relegation battle.

A win for the hosts could see the La Liga minnows leapfrog Eibar and Alaves into 18th place, while three points for Osasuna could propel Jagoba Arrasate's men into the upper reaches of the league.

Match preview

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In what has been a profoundly disappointing campaign for Huesca, where the team has been languishing in the bottom three since October, there are still those that believe the club can escape from the jaws of relegation.

In terms of performances, Huesca have been much more convincing than rivals Eibar and Alaves in recent weeks, while players such as Rafa Mir, Javi Galan and Javier Ontiveros have been electrifying at times this season.

Yet, despite glimpses of glory, Pacheta's side have consistently struggled to overcome their poor start to the season.

The team have lost their last two games, against Celta Vigo and Barcelona respectively, conceding eight goals and scoring four along the way.

Huesca have only played Osasuna once before in the top-flight and that was this season's reverse fixture which ended in a 1-1 draw. Pacheta will need his men to come away with more for their efforts this time around if he wants to maintain the dream of survival.

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After a poor start to the campaign, 13th-placed Osasuna have completely turned their fortunes around in the last few months, winning half of their last eight games.

Yet, Arrasate's side are not out of the woods and will need to keep their string of good performances going if they wish to finish the season outside of the relegation dogfight going on below them in the table.

Osasuna slumped to a disappointing 0-0 draw with Real Valladolid last time out in the league, a game which, on paper, looked like an easy opportunity to pick up three points.

After winning their last two league away games, a win this weekend would be the first time Osasuna have won three league away games on the bounce since May 2006.

Team News

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Following a change in tactics against Barca last time out, Pacheta will likely revert to a more attacking formation on Saturday, with players like Galan and Pablo Maffeo moving higher up either flank and Idrissa Doumbia making way for Jaime Seoane.

Absentees for Pacheta include defender Gaston Silva, who is out with an ankle injury, and goalkeeper Antonio Valera.

Arrasate will be without a number of first-team regulars for this tie with Inigo Perez and Facundo Roncaglia unavailable due to muscular injuries.

With Sergio Herrera also out for this tie due to COVID-19 regulations, it is expected that Arrasate will put his faith in 24-year-old keeper Juan Perez.

Huesca possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Pulido, Siovas, Insua; Maffeo, Seoane, Rico, Galan; Escriche, Mir, Ferreiro

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Perez; Nacho Vidal, Aridane, D. Garcia, Sanchez; Barja, Brasanac, Moncayola, R Garcia; Calleri, Budimir

We say: Huesca 3-2 Osasuna

Games involving Huesca are always difficult to call because Pacheta's men play with such an unpredictable, chaotic intensity, and it is precisely because of that consideration that we think Huesca are going to come away from this five-goal thriller with all three points.