Osasuna square off against Alaves on Thursday afternoon looking to end their eight-match winless streak in La Liga.

On the back of an important 2-1 victory over Eibar, Alaves head into this contest having moved three points clear of the relegation zone.

Match preview

With just two points being recorded from eight matches, Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate is aware that he must quickly end the club's poor run of form if he is to remain in the dugout.

There were positives to be taken from the 2-2 draw at Elche last time out, but twice letting slip a lead against their relegation rivals would have hurt Arraste and his squad.

Ahead of a triple-header with Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Granada, the Los Rojillos boss will acknowledge that the stakes are high ahead of another tussle with a team who they will regard as a direct foe.

On the plus side for Osasuna, five goals have been netted during their last three games, including two for Roberto Torres who has joined Ruben Garcia at the top of the goalscoring charts with three strikes.

However, as many as 15 goals have been conceded in just six matches, four more than any other team over the same period.

Meanwhile, Alaves have made steady progress up the table since October 25, recording a total of 13 points from nine games.

While their two defeats to Huesca and Celta Vigo came earlier this month, Pablo Machin watched his side register a comeback success over Eibar in their most recent fixture.

Los Babazorros remain in close proximity to the bottom three, but Machin will be encouraged by how his side have performed in defence in the long term.

Alaves have not conceded more than two goals in a game since losing 3-1 at Villarreal on September 30, a run which has included fixtures with Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Osasuna La Liga form: DLLLLD
Osasuna form (all competitions): LLLWLD

Alaves La Liga form: DWDLLW
Alaves form (all competitions): WDLWLW

Team News

Alaves will have to do without Rodrigo Battaglia, who is serving a suspension for five yellow cards.

Ruben Duarte remains sidelined with a knee injury, which should lead to Adrian Marin deputising at left-back.

While Osasuna are missing the suspended Inigo Perez, Aridane Hernandez is back after completing his one-match ban.

Darko Brasanac is expected to be passed fit after overcoming a knock sustained in the last game.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Roncaglia, Garcia, Hernandez, Cruz; Torres, Moncayola, Brasanac, Garcia; Calleri, Budimir

Alaves possible starting lineup:
Pacheco; Navarro, Laguardia, Lejeune, Marin; Mendez, Pina, Garcia, Rioja; Deyverson, Joselu

We say: Osasuna 1-1 Alaves

Osasuna are aware that they can ill-afford another defeat to a relegation rival, and that may result in a nervous performance from the home side. However, with Alaves likely to be content with settling for a point, the home side could be given opportunities to claim a share of the spoils.

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