Oroz, Aimar
Paredes, Aitor
Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao will lock horns at El Sadar this week with a spot in Europe at stake for both sides.
In the 43 encounters between these teams, Bilbao are in the lead with 19 wins while the hosts have been only able to turn up with 12 wins. The last time these two sides faced off in La Liga, the game ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Overall, Osasuna and Athletic Club have faced off three times this season with the hosts getting the only positive result.
With three vital La Liga points at stake for Osasuna, the pressure to win this game on home soil is huge for the Pamplona outfit. Osasuna are chasing European football (10th in La Liga) and are only three points behind Athletic Club (7th) and a win at El Sadar could take them level on points with their rivals on Thursday. Their negative goal-difference could cause them trouble but they need a win to stay alive in the race for the seventh spot. Since returning to La Liga in 2019, Osasuna have only managed to finish in the middle of the table, and with three games left, including this one, the home side have a chance to secure their best-ever finish since 2011/12, then they finished seventh with 54 points. Osasuna have lost three of their last five games in the Spanish top flight and so with their inconsistent form, the onus is on them to deliver in a crunch game. At home though, they have managed to win three of their last four games with eight goals being scored across those three results. So, despite their woeful record in front of the goal this term (32 goals in La Liga), they are making it count at El Sadar, something their opponents will be wary about.
Moi Gomez and Abde Ezzalzouli are set to sit this one out after the duo missed the 3-0 away loss at Atletico Madrid this week. Nacho Vidal and Darko Brasanac have also been sidelined due to injury. Ante Budimir is at risk of facing suspension for his side's game against Getafe this weekend and so will have to be cautious with regard to his discipline on the pitch. While Los Rojillos have a selection headache ahead of them, Jagoba Arrasate could be tempted to not tamper much with his XI at such a crucial juncture of the season.
Athletic Bilbao are heading into this clash on the back of a solitary win from their last five. Ernesto Valverde's side have lost three from their last five and for the former Barca boss, it will be absolutely vital that his team hits form once again. A win here would take them closer to Europe. The Lions have failed to feature in Europe since the 2017/18 season and with a vital away victory, they could finally reap the rewards of all the good work they have been doing this term. Los Leones have only won one of their last six away games and the last time they were on the road, they were thrashed 5-1 by Villarreal.
Barcelona-linked Inigo Martinez, Ander Herrera, and Jon Morcillo are all set to miss this game due to injury. Dani Garcia and Yeray Alvarez also remain doubtful for this fixture with fitness concerns looming and so Oier Zarraga could return to the lineup. Raul Garcia could be suspended for the game against Elche this weekend if he picks up another yellow card.
In a season where goals have been hard to come by, Chimy Avila has found his groove. The Argentinian forward has scored six times and assisted twice in his 27 La Liga appearances for Osasuna this term. The 29-year-old will look to boost his side's chances on Thursday by finding the back of the net against a side he has scored only twice in 10 games. While also being more than capable of finishing half-chances, Avila can also set up chances for his teammates by creating spaces and so neutralizing him will be key for Bilbao's chances of landing their second consecutive victory in the past week.
Inaki Williams has been the mainstay for Bilbao this season with 10 goals and three assists from his 33 La Liga appearances this season. He has combined well with his brother Nico Williams, who has scored six goals himself this term. The 28-year-old has the technique, pace, and physicality to exploit any defensive deficiencies in the Osasuna backline but it will not be easy for him against a stiff Osasuna backline that has been largely successful at home in recent weeks.
Expert Opinion: There are three vital La Liga points at stake at El Sadar this Thursday and the outcome of this fixture could very well decide who stakes his claim in Europe next season. The seventh spot is up for grabs and apart from these two sides, Girona and Sevilla will also be interested in knowing the outcome of this clash. For them, a draw would be the best possible result but with Osasuna and Athletic Club set to battle it out with their respective expansive styles of play, one can expect a hard-fought goal-fest.
LaLiga