Almeria will be looking to give their La Liga survival hopes a huge boost when they travel to an out-of-form Osasuna outfit on Saturday afternoon.
The visitors are currently 14th in the table, two points clear of the relegation zone, while Osasuna occupy 10th, with the Copa del Rey finalists currently on a run of three straight defeats in all competitions.
Match preview
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Osasuna have not been victorious since April 25 against Cadiz, losing each of their last three matches, including the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid last weekend.
Lucas Torro cancelled out an early opener from Rodrygo to leave the two teams level in Seville, but the latter then struck his second for Real Madrid in the 70th minute to secure the victory for Carlo Ancelotti's side.
Osasuna have also lost their last two in the league against Real Sociedad and Barcelona, while results elsewhere have contributed to them dropping into 10th position in the table, boasting 44 points from 33 matches.
Jagoba Arrasate's side are only five points behind seventh-placed Girona, so a European finish is still possible, but they are just three points ahead of Mallorca in 12th, with a lot of movement possible late in the season.
Los Rojillos have struggled for consistency at home this season, winning eight, drawing one and losing seven of their 16 matches, but they will be welcoming an Almeria side with the second-worst away record, picking up just seven points from their 16 games on their travels.
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Almeria, meanwhile, have boosted their survival hopes with two wins in their last three matches, recording 2-1 victories over Getafe and Elche either side of a 4-2 defeat at Real Madrid.
Rubi's side have moved out of the relegation zone and into 14th position, but they are only two points ahead of 18th-placed Getafe, so the strugglers still have a lot of work to do in their battle to remain in the league.
La Union secured a return to La Liga by winning the Segunda Division last term, and they are bidding to make it back-to-back campaigns at this level of football for the first time since 2015.
Almeria, as mentioned, have found it difficult on their travels this term, winning one, drawing four and losing 11 of their 16 games, but their home form has been strong, picking up 29 points from 17 games.
Rubi's team will end May with matches against Mallorca (H), Real Sociedad (A) and Real Valladolid (H) before finishing the campaign against Espanyol (A) at the start of June.
Team News
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Osasuna will again be missing Nacho Vidal and Darko Brasanac due to injury, while Jorge Herrando is suspended following his red card against Barcelona in the league last time out.
David Garcia returned from injury against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final, and the key defender came through the match unscathed, so he will start again on Saturday.
Ante Budimir should again lead the line, meanwhile, although Arrasate has plenty of other options in the final third in the shape of Chimy Avila, Kike Barja, Ruben Garcia and Kike Garcia.
As for Almeria, Kaiky, Martin Svidersky, Diego Fuoli and El Bilal Toure remain on the sidelines through injury.
The visitors did not pick up any fresh issues in their win over Elche last time out, though, so it would not be a surprise to see the same XI take to the field for this contest.
Leo Baptistao and Adri Embarba should continue alongside Luis Suarez in the final third of the field, with Gonzalo Melero set to retain his spot in the middle of midfield.
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Fernandez; Moncayola, Aridane, D Garcia, Cruz; Torro, Gomez; Pena, Oroz, Ezzalzouli; Budimir
Almeria possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Pozo, Ely, Babic, Centelles; Robertone, De la Hoz, Melero; Baptistao, Suarez, Embarba
We say: Osasuna 1-1 Almeria
Almeria are in the better form entering this match, but it is difficult to back them on the road considering their struggles this term. Osasuna will be determined to return to winning ways, but we believe that the points will ultimately be shared in a low-scoring draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
