Osasuna will be looking to build on their impressive victory on the opening night of the new La Liga season when they continue their campaign at home to Cadiz on Saturday afternoon.
The home side started their 2022-23 campaign with a 2-1 success over Sevilla, while Cadiz suffered a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad in their first match of the new season.
Match preview
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Osasuna were promoted back to La Liga for the 2019-20 campaign courtesy of winning the Segunda Division in 2018-19, and they have managed to impressively consolidate in the top flight once again, finishing 10th, 11th and 10th in their last three campaigns.
Los Rojillos were given a tough assignment in the first match of the new La Liga season, welcoming Sevilla to Estadio El Sadar, but they collected all three points courtesy of a 2-1 win over the Champions League side.
Rafa Mir cancelled out an opener from Ezequiel Avila to leave the two sides level in the 11th minute, but Jagoba Arrasate's side secured all three points late on with Aimar Oroz finding the back of the net from the penalty spot.
Moi Gomez, Manu Sanchez, Aitor Fernandez and Ruben Pena have arrived to boost the squad, and there are expected to be more additions before the end of the transfer window, with the Pamplona side potentially being dark horses for a top-seven finish this term.
Osasuna did a league double over Cadiz last season, running out 3-2 winners away from home last August before recording a 2-0 victory in front of their own supporters back in January.
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Cadiz are in Spain's top flight for the third year in succession, but they only narrowly avoided relegation to the Segunda Division last season, finishing 17th in the table.
The Yellow Submarine only managed to win eight of their 38 matches in 2021-22, but a total of 39 points was enough to keep them up, finishing one point ahead of 18th-placed Granada, who were relegated to the Segunda Division alongside Levante and Alaves.
Sergio Gonzalez's side know that they will be up against it this season when it comes to staying in the division, but they were unable to pick up a positive result on the opening weekend of the new campaign.
Indeed, Takefusa Kubo's 24th-minute effort for Real Sociedad proved to be the difference between the two sides, with Imanol Alguacil's team opening their 2022-23 season with a victory.
Cadiz actually had the worst home record in La Liga last season, only picking up 18 points from 19 matches, but they were relatively strong on their travels, claiming 21 points from 19 games, which is more than the likes of Elche, Rayo Vallecano, Getafe and Espanyol.
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Team News
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Osasuna will again be missing Kike Saverio this weekend due to a tendon issue, while Unai Garcia is a doubt having been forced to leave the field against Sevilla due to a head injury.
Unai Garcia is expected to be cleared to start, but Manu Sanchez will be on standby for the home side.
Nacho Vidal impressed off the bench against Sevilla and is also in contention to come into the XI, but head coach Arrasate is expected to stick with the majority of the side that took to the field for the first whistle last time out.
Avila and Oroz scored the goals against Lopetegui's side on the opening night, and the pair are again expected to feature in the final third of the field.
As for Cadiz, Jon Ander Garrido remains unavailable for selection due to a knee injury, but the visitors are otherwise in good shape leading into this contest.
There could be a couple of changes from the side that started against Real Sociedad, with Tomas Alarcon and Awer Mabil potentially coming in for starts.
Alvaro Negredo is also an option for change in the final third of the field, but head coach Sergio is expected to stick with Lucas Perez and Anthony Lozano as a front two for this match.
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Pena, U Garcia, D Garcia, Cruz; Vidal, Moncayola, Torro, M Gomez; Oroz, Avila
Cadiz possible starting lineup:
Ledesma; Zaldua, L Hernandez, Chust, Espino; Mabil, Jimenez, Alarcon, Arzamendia; Perez, Lozano
We say: Osasuna 2-1 Cadiz
Osasuna will be feeling confident following their win over Sevilla last time out, and we are expecting the hosts to collect another three points here. Cadiz are capable of picking up impressive results on their travels, but we are tipping Osasuna to make it two wins from two matches this season.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Matt Law
