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Preview: Osasuna vs. Villarreal - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's La Liga clash between Osasuna and Villarreal, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Villarreal will look to extend an eye-catching run of form on Saturday, when they travel to take on Osasuna.

A five-game unbeaten run has seen Unai Emery's side climb into the top six of the La Liga table, while their hosts sit 11th after back-to-back defeats.


Match preview

Villarreal's Pau Torres celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 9, 2022© Reuters

Osasuna have had a season defined by noticeable ups and downs in La Liga, having started in particularly impressive fashion before going 10 games without a victory between late October and early January.

Jagoba Arrasate's men would then bounce back, recording wins over Cadiz, Granada and Rayo Vallecano in a five-match span, with the latter being an eye-catching 3-0 thrashing away from home thanks to goals from Jon Moncayola, Ruben Garcia and Kike Garcia.

However, Los Rojillos have experienced another dip in recent weeks, with that victory firstly followed by a defeat to Atletico Madrid by the same scoreline before they were narrowly beaten 1-0 by Real Sociedad last time out as Aritz Elustondo hit the only goal of the game.

While they will not be overly disheartened by defeats in two particularly tough games, Arrasate's men have now dropped back down to 11th spot, and they will be keen to return to winning ways sooner rather than later, albeit with the schedule not getting any easier.

Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate reacts on February 19, 2022© Reuters

They face another difficult test as Villarreal arrive looking to stretch an unbeaten run to seven games, having won four of their last five La Liga outings.

After a relatively slow start to the season, Unai Emery's men have certainly found their form in recent months, going on a six-match winning run around the turn of the year before being briefly halted.

The Yellow Submarine have since bounced back from a minor setback in impressive fashion, dishing out defeats to Mallorca, Real Betis and Granada alongside a commendable stalemate with league leaders Real Madrid and a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie with Italian giants Juventus.

Most recently, Emery's side hosted Espanyol, and they recorded a 5-1 thrashing as Yeremi Pino hit four goals before Boulaye Dia capped off a dominant showing with a fifth late on.

As a result, they have now climbed within reach of the top four, and they will look to leapfrog Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona with another victory at the weekend.

Osasuna La Liga form:
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L

Osasuna form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L

Villarreal La Liga form:
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • D
  • W

Villarreal form (all competitions):
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W



Team News

Villarreal's Dani Parejo celebrates scoring their first goal with Arnaut Danjuma on February 22, 2022© Reuters

Jesus Areso should continue to be Osasuna's only absentee, as the defender remains confined to the treatment room.

The midfield unit of Jon Moncayola, Lucas Torro and Darko Brasanac has rarely been changed, while the likes of Ante Budimir and Kike Garcia will battle to lead the line.

While Villarreal's injury issues have reduced recently, Francis Coquelin, Ruben Pena and key forward Gerard Moreno are all ruled out, while Paco Alcacer is not expected to return in time to feature.

Teenage winger Yeremi Pino has been somewhat of a breakout star this season, and, after netting four goals last time out, he will come into Saturday's game with an abundance of confidence.

He should again support Arnaut Danjuma, who has netted 12 goals in 23 appearances across La Liga and Champions League action this term.

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Giovani Lo Celso is also likely to be deployed in an advanced role, with Etienne Capoue and Dani Parejo set to operate at the base of midfield.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Vidal, D Garcia, Cruz, Sanchez; Moncayola, Torro, Brasanac; K Garcia, Budimir, R Garcia

Villarreal possible starting lineup:
Rulli; Aurier, Torres, Albiol, Estupinan; Parejo, Capoue; Pino, Lo Celso, Chukwueze; Danjuma


SM words green background

We say: Osasuna 0-2 Villarreal

Given that their confidence will be sky-high, we back Villarreal to extend their eye-catching run of form at the weekend.

Emery's men certainly look to have clicked recently, and we expect them to return home with all three points.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals 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.Under 2.5:data


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How you voted: Osasuna vs Villarreal

Osasuna
10.0%
Draw
14.0%
Villarreal
76.0%
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Villarreal's Yeremi Pino celebrates after winning the Europa League on May 26, 2021
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Real Madrid27196256213563
2Sevilla271510239182155
3Atletico MadridAtletico28156752361651
4Barcelona26139448291948
5Real Betis27144949351446
6Real Sociedad2712872829-144
7Villarreal27119747262142
8Athletic Bilbao27101073226640
9Valencia279994143-236
10Celta Vigo2798103331235
11Osasuna2798102631-535
12Espanyol2788113340-732
13Rayo Vallecano2694132832-431
14ElcheElche2778122939-1029
15Getafe2769122632-627
16Mallorca2768132645-1926
17Granada27510122843-1525
18CadizCadiz28412122441-1724
19AlavesAlaves2757152144-2322
20Levante2739152954-2518

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