Almeria vs Osasuna predictions and match preview for Monday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the new boys target their second win of the season.
| Date | Monday 12th September 2022 |
| Kick-Off | 21:00 (local time) |
| Stadium | Power Horse Stadium |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Almeria vs Osasuna Preview
Matchday 5 of LaLiga 2022/23 concludes on Monday night in Andalusia. It features fast-starting Osasuna who are hoping to move back into the top four by seeing off newly promoted Almeria.
It has been a chaotic start to life back in the top flight for Almeria. Their supporters already have one memory to savour after they upset regional rivals Sevilla a fortnight ago but they’ve only collected one point from their other three games and there is not really any sense of a settled team emerging yet with star striker Umar Sadiq leaving on transfer deadline day while a host of new faces arrived.
The task over the coming weeks for Rubi will be to try and figure out what his best eleven may look like. That’s not a question he’ll be able to answer right now and it’s unlikely he’d have known too much about many of his summer signings, most of whom are young players plying their trade in LaLiga for the first time. The Almeria boss will certainly want an improvement on their last display here following a late defeat at fellow new boys Real Valladolid.
As for Osasuna, they have started really brightly and might be seen as dark horses for a European place this term. They were already a solid mid-table side but they look stronger this year having held onto their better players whilst also doing some smart business with Moi Gomez and Ebde Az coming to potentially add a bit more spark and unpredictability to their attacking play.
The biggest plus so far though for Jagoba Arrasate has without doubt been the emergence of young midfielder Aimar Oroz. The 20 year old was on target again in the 2-1 win over Rayo Vallecano last time out although looks set to miss this game through injury. It speaks volumes for his impact, that that already feels like a significant blow for Osasuna but his absence will create an opportunity for somebody else.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Almeria
| INJURED | Nieto, Martos, Melero |
| DOUBTFUL | Eguaras, De La Hoz, Ely, Centelles |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Fernando – Akieme, Babic, Ely, Pozo – Samu Costa, Robertone, Eguaras – Ramazani, Souza, Baptistao (4-3-3)
Coach: Rubi
Fantasy Star: Fernando Martínez
Osasuna
| INJURED | Kike Saverio, Aimar Oroz, Peña, Benito |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Herrera – Cruz, Unai Garcia, David Garcia, Vidal – Torro, Moncayola – Abde, Gomez, Avila – Budimir (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Jagoba Arrasate
Fantasy Star: David Garcia
Score Prediction: Almeria 0-2 Osasuna
It’s inevitable to some extent when a team loses their best player so late in the transfer window, but there are a lot of questions and not many answers for Almeria boss Rubi right now and he could probably do with the international break to come around so he can spend more time working with his squad. Osasuna by contrast have a really settled feel and their extra experience and quality could be decisive here.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
