CA Osasuna faces Deportivo Alavés this Sunday at 18:30 at the Mendizorroza stadium, in a match corresponding to the fourth matchday of La Liga. The game, broadcast on LaLiga 3 (M. LaLiga 3), pits two teams that have started the season with positive momentum. Osasuna travels to Vitoria-Gasteiz sitting sixth in the league table, with seven points from two wins and a draw in their first three games.
Luis Miguel Ramis's team is on a positive run, having scored three goals and conceded just one. The Navarrese coach intends to maintain continuity with the squad used in the first three matchdays, though he must deal with some significant absences. The injured Aimar Oroz and Jorge Herrando, along with Valentin Rosier, will miss the match and the coming weeks, which is a blow to the team's setup.
How is Osasuna coping with injury absences?
The absence of Aimar Oroz, with a left adductor injury, and Jorge Herrando, with a left biceps femoris issue, forces Luis Miguel Ramis to adjust his starting eleven. Osasuna's probable lineup is expected to feature Sergio Herrera in goal; a defense with Arguibide, Catena, and Boyomo; Bretones and Diego Rico on the flanks; and a midfield of Moncayola, Iker Muñoz, and Moi Gómez. In attack, Rubén García would support the duo of Ante Budimir and Argentine Juan Cruz Dubasin.
Iker Muñoz has established himself as a key midfielder, winning the battle in the center of the park against players like Lucas Torró. Up front, Budimir arrives in excellent form, having scored two goals in three matches, both from penalties, showing great accuracy from the spot. New additions to the squad list include the return of Rockson and the presence of Frenchman Romain Del Castillo, signed on the last day of the transfer window, who could make his debut for the reds. The latest squad news is always available on our squad page.
What challenge does Quique Sánchez Flores's Alavés present?
The home side, managed by Quique Sánchez Flores, is one of the revelation teams of the early season. Alavés is undefeated, with two wins and a draw, and a spotless defensive record in their last two matches, keeping clean sheets against Getafe and Villarreal. However, for this clash they also suffer a sensitive loss: the serious knee injury to Mikel Rodríguez opens the door for Denis Suárez to start.
The probable babazona lineup would include Sivera; Ángel Pérez, Koski, Tenaglia, Jony, Abde; Blanco, Ibáñez, Denis Suárez; and a forward line of Mariano Díaz and Lucas Boyé. Mariano, who replaces the muscle-discomfort-plagued Toni Martínez, has already scored two goals this season. Despite their strong start, Alavés carries a curious negative statistic: they have not beaten Osasuna at Mendizorroza in their last seven meetings. Their last home win against the Navarrese dates back to the eighth matchday of the 2015/16 Segunda División season, eleven years ago.
What is the context surrounding the match in Vitoria-Gasteiz?
The match promises a festive atmosphere both in the streets of Vitoria and in the stands of Mendizorroza, thanks to the historically good relationship between the two sets of fans. In terms of officiating, José María Sánchez will be the main referee for the match, with David Gálvez in the VAR room.
For Osasuna, this match is an opportunity to stay in the upper part of the table and close in on the leading positions. Currently, Ramis's team is just two points behind leaders Barcelona. After the match in Vitoria, Osasuna's schedule continues with a home fixture against Espanyol on September 12th. You can follow the team's progress through the season in our standings section. The Pamplona-based side faces a decisive week with their focus on consolidating their strong start to the campaign.
