Almeria vs Osasuna – Preview, H2H, Line-ups, Prediction | La Liga 2022-23

Spain's La Liga sets protocols for the return of fans
Spain's La Liga sets protocols for the return of fans

The last game of the fifth round of the 2022/23 La Liga season sees Almeria welcome Osasuna to Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos.

Venue: Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos (Almería)

Key Statistics

Almeria have failed to score only once in their last 13 league games.

They have won six of their last ten home matches.

Almería have scored 2+ goals in six of their last ten home matches.

Osasuna have scored one goal or less in seven of their last eight LL away outings.

The visitors are winless in their last four away games (D2, L2).

They have scored 2+ goals in three of their four league games this season. 

Osasuna have a dismal recent away record, winning just one of their last eight La Liga away games (D2, L5). 

Head to head

Almeria have only won two of the last ten meetings between both sides. Osasuna have five wins in the same period. 

Latest performances in all competitions

Almería: L-W-D-L-L

Osasuna: W-L-W-W-W

Almería 

Almeria will look to record just their second win of the season when they welcome Osasuna to Estadio de los Juegos Mediterráneos on Monday night.

The newly promoted hosts have endured a mixed start to the season (W1, D1, L2) and will now welcome Jagoba Arrasate’s side on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Real Valladolid last weekend; a game in which they conceded in the 93rd minute. 

With just four points on the board after four rounds of games, the hosts have now recorded an inferior start to that of their 2014/15 campaign (W1, D2, L1) when they were eventually relegated. 

But given that their loss to Valladolid was the first time the Andalusians failed to score in 13 consecutive league games, they will not be panicking yet. Another reason for optimism within Rubi’s squad will be the manner of his side’s 2-1 win against last season’s La Liga top-four finishers Sevilla in their last home outing.

And so, they will welcome Osasuna, confident of being able to snatch a point in front of their fans.  

Possible Almería starting line-up

Fernando Martinez; Alejandro Pozo, Srdjan Babic, Kaiky Melo, Sergio Akieme; Samu Costa, Lucas Robertone, Curro Sanchez, Leo Baptistao; Lergie Ramezani, Dyego Sousa.

Injured: Cesar de La Hoz, Alex Centelles, Inigo Eguares 

Doubtful: Rodrigo Ely

Suspended: None 

Osasuna 

Osasuna will look to win their fourth game of the season when they travel to Almeria on Monday.

The visitors have made their best start to a La Liga campaign this century, as a stoppage-time winner saw them triumph 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano last time out, marking their third win from their opening four fixtures (L1). 

Osasuna finished the weekend fifth in the standings after their win in Pamplona, and they will already have hopes of at least matching their best-ever La Liga finish this century – having finished fifth in the 2005/06 season.

Coach Jagoba Arrasate spoke of the “immense joy’’ at winning three consecutive home games, but precautions need to be taken here as their only loss this season arrived in their only away outing–a 1-0 loss to Real Betis. 

Osasuna have a poor recent away record, having won just one of their last eight league away games (D2, L5) though they might feel confident about improving that record against an Almería side they’ve beaten in the last four league games. They will also be confident of getting a positive result considering their record when visiting promoted clubs last season (W2, D1).

Possible Osasuna starting line-up

Sergio Herrera; nacho Vidal, David Garcia, Unai Garcia, Juan Cruz; Moi Gomez, Lucas Torro, Jon Moncayola, Ezequiel Avila; Aimar Oroz Huarte, Ante Budimir. 

Injured: Kiko Saverio

Doubtful: None 

Suspended: None 

Prediction

Almería 1-2 Osasuna