Osasuna vs Elche predictions and match preview for Saturday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as the hosts aim to build on a famous midweek success.
| Date | Saturday 8th April 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 14:00 (CET) |
| Stadium | El Sadar |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Osasuna vs Elche Preview
Osasuna and Elche clash at El Sadar on Saturday. There’s likely to be a celebratory atmosphere in the stadium after Osasuna reached the Copa del Rey Final with a draw at San Mames in midweek and there will be a warm welcome for their team here.
It was certainly a battle for Osasuna in Bilbao and they were hanging on at times but a fine strike from Pablo Ibanez four minutes from the end of Extra Time broke Athletic hearts and booked a trip to Seville for Jagoba Arrasate’s team. That showdown with Real Madrid will come around quickly but they have a number of league games to squeeze in first.
We may see more rotation from Arrasate as the Final nears, but we should see a strong XI from Osasuna here. Their recent league form has not been great with just 1 win in 10 league outings. They’ve not scored in LaLiga since the 3-2 win at Sevilla at the end of February and they could do with finding an extra gear or two as they seek to sustain a push for European football via the league, as well as the cup.
Elche are heading only way and that’s down to the Segunda Division. They’ve had twice as many coaches as they’ve had league wins this season with Sebastian Beccacece the latest man in the hotseat following the reigns of Francisco, Jorge Almiron and Pablo Machin. The new coach got off to a bad start with a 4-0 home defeat against leaders Barcelona last weekend.
There was little expectation that Elche would get a result from that game but it’s hard to really know how Beccacece can get any more out of this team than any of his predecessors. If anything, they were improving under Machin, but defensively they remain all at sea at times and even a low-scoring Osasuna side should find a way past them.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Osasuna
| INJURED | Ruben Garcia |
| DOUBTFUL | Avila |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Aitor – Sanchez, Aridane, David Garcia, Vidal – Moi Gomez, Torro, Moncayola – Abde, Budimir, Barja (4-3-3)
Coach: Jagoba Arrasate
Elche
| INJURED | Carmona |
| DOUBTFUL | Nteka |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Badia – Clerc, Verdu, Bigas, Palacios – Gumbau, Mascarell – Blanco, Fidel, Milla – Boye (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Sebastián Beccacece
Score Prediction: Osasuna 1-0 Elche
Osasuna’s inability to score goals is a concern and suggests they may fall just short in their pursuit of European football. However even if they again struggle for creative spark here, a shaky Elche defence is likely to present them chances and the Pamplona based side should be able to secure all the points.
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