Preview: Osasuna vs. Real Sociedad - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Sociedad will make the short trip to Pamplona this weekend for their end-of-the-season La Liga clash against Osasuna at El Sadar.

Imanol Alguacil's La Real will hope to cement Europa League football next season with three points on Saturday, while Osasuna could still finish in the top half of the division with a win this weekend.

Match preview

After a marked drop-off in form earlier in the campaign, it is strange to recall that La Real were actually in the title race during the first few months of the season.

However, currently fifth in the standings, Alguacil's men will be pleased with how the campaign has gone and are in a good position to compete for honours once again next season.

In terms of this weekend, La Real are undefeated in their last four top-flight away games against Osasuna, and Alguacil will be confident they can keep that run going on Saturday.

Star striker Alexander Isak has scored 16 goals in 33 top-flight appearances this season, a stellar return for the 21-year-old Swede.

Osasuna come into this game without having won any of their last nine La Liga encounters with La Real, with their last victory at El Sadar coming in May 2012.

However, Jagoba Arrasate's men are undefeated in 11 consecutive games against Basque teams in La Liga, including the seven played this season.

Currently 11th in the standings, there is not much Osasuna can achieve on the last day of the season, but the Pamplona outfit are not the type of side to roll over easily.

Against Atletico Madrid last time out, Osasuna pushed Diego Simeone's men hard but were eventually beaten 2-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Osasuna La Liga form:

Real Sociedad La Liga form:

Team News

Alguacil will be without the injured Mikel Merino once again this weekend, with the midfielder's injuries still currently unknown.

La Real will also be without Asier Illarramendi, Urko Gonzalez and Aihen Munoz.

Arrasate will be without a number of first-team regulars such as Aridane and Jonathan Calleri.

Nacho Vidal will be available for selection once again after serving his one-game suspension.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Nacho Vidal, U Garcia, David Garcia, Sanchez; Martinez, Lucas Torro, Oier, R Garcia; Avila, Budimir

Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:

Alex Remiro; Gorosabel, Elustondo, Le Normand, Monreal; Guevara, Zubimendi; Januzaj, Silva, Oyarzabal; Isak

We say: Osasuna 0-2 Real Sociedad

La Real are in a hot vein of form and look very capable of getting the better of Osasuna this weekend. We are expecting goals from the man of the hour Isak.

Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a draw or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.