Osasuna vs Alavés: The Relegation Six-Pointer That Could Define Their Christmas
With both sides desperate to avoid the drop zone over Christmas, Osasuna host Alavés in a crucial LaLiga clash at El Sadar that could determine festive spirits.
Osasuna vs Alavés: The Relegation Six-Pointer That Could Define Their Christmas
Osasuna host Alavés in a proper Christmas cracker, with the home side potentially facing the nightmare of spending the festive period in the relegation zone if they don’t bag all three points.
How different things look now
Last season, these two sides met with completely different ambitions. Osasuna were a whisker away from European football, needing just one more goal against an Alavés side with nothing to play for. That European ticket ended up in Vallecas instead.
Fast forward to today, and it’s a proper dog’s dinner at the bottom of the table. Both teams are now scrapping for survival in what has become a critical six-pointer before the Christmas break.
Osasuna’s situation
The Pamplona outfit have already secured their spot in the Copa del Rey last 16, but their league form has been giving the fans the collywobbles lately. They’ll be looking to rediscover their El Sadar fortress mentality after unexpected defeats to Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad on home turf.
They’ll have to do it without Boyomo, who has joined up with Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations preparations – a significant defensive absence for this crucial fixture.
Alavés looking to complete the perfect week
Chacho Coudet’s men arrive in decent nick, having just knocked Sevilla out of the Copa del Rey thanks to Carlos Vicente’s decisive goal. They’re aiming to make it a dream week with another victory before the Christmas break.
Vicente has scored in consecutive matches and could be one of the changes to the starting eleven. They’ll be without Boyé, who picked up an injury against Sevilla, with Toni Martínez expected to step in. Both Mariano and Diarra remain unavailable and haven’t made the squad.
Key battle: Víctor Muñoz vs Carlos Vicente
Two wingers who can turn a game on its head:
- Muñoz was the difference-maker in Osasuna’s last victory against Levante at El Sadar
- Vicente has been on fire with eight goals this campaign, four of them in LaLiga
Prediction
When their backs are against the wall, Osasuna and the El Sadar faithful typically deliver. Despite Alavés’s decent form, the absence of Lucas Boyé takes some sting out of their attack.
Expect a tight affair with Osasuna edging it 2-1 in front of their passionate home support.