Espanyol vs Osasuna predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as Jagoba Arrasate’s men head to the RCDE Stadium.
| Date | Saturday 4th February 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 14:00 (CET) |
| Stadium | RCDE Stadium |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Espanyol vs Osasuna Preview
Saturday’s action in LaLiga kicks off at the RCDE Stadium. It’s a meeting between Espanyol and Osasuna with the visitors currently 8 points and 7 places better off in the standings although we should see a competitive game here in a match that is tough to call.
Espanyol fans have reason to be more positive now with some betting performances and results from Diego Martinez’s side since the turn of the year. Indeed they returned from the World Cup with a four game unbeaten streak including back-to-back wins over Getafe and Real Betis. However they were brought back down to earth last time out with a 3-1 defeat at Almeria.
It was also a promising transfer window for the Catalan club. Surprisingly, they were LaLiga’s biggest January spenders with a significant outlay on new signings including three permanent transfers. Centre-back Cesar Montes has already slotted into the central defence while they sought to cure their goalkeeping woes by bringing in Fernando Pacheco with summer signing Benjamin Lecomte departing. They also have Denis Suarez on loan although having not played at all this season, the Celta man is unlikely to feature heavily here.
Osasuna didn’t make a single signing but they didn’t really need to do too much. Jagoba Arrasate’s side are having a good season and they have more options this term following a relatively busy summer. They have the tantalising prospect of a Copa del Rey Semi Final against local rivals Athletic to look forward to in March but they have 4 league games to play before then with two possible routes into Europe currently open to the Pamplona club.
They weren’t at their best last time out, losing 1-0 at home to Atletico Madrid and if you exclude Extra Time in the cup, it is actually only 1 win in 8 matches inside 90 minutes for Osasuna. They’ve been tough to beat though with the Atleti loss their first in 2023 in all competitions.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Espanyol
| INJURED | Bare, Pedrosa |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED | Oscar Gil, Vini Souza |
Possible XI: Alvaro Fernandez – Olivan, Cabrera, Montes, Sanchez – Puado, Darder, Exposito, Vidal – Braithwaite, Joselu (4-4-2)
Coach: Diego Martinez
Osasuna
| INJURED | Vidal, Pena, Oroz |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Aitor Fernandez – Sanchez, Aridane, David Garcia, Moreno – Moi Gomez, Torro, Moncayola – Abde, Budimir, Chimy (4-3-3)
Coach: Jagoba Arrasate
Score Prediction: Espanyol 1-0 Osasuna
Espanyol will take confidence from their recent home win over Real Betis and will hope that the Almeria defeat last time out was just an off day. Osasuna may be struggling with a bit of fatigue too after their very busy January which saw them go to Extra time three times in the cup and the hosts may just edge what should be a tight game.
PLEASE NOTE – Our La Liga 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.
