Osasuna vs. Real Sociedad : Preview, Odds, Predictions (April 28)
Initial Thoughts
Hoping to make it three league wins on the bounce, Osasuna welcome top-four hopefuls Real Sociedad in Friday night’s La Liga matchup.
The Narrative
It’s been a decade since Real Sociedad last played in the Champions League, and this season Imanol Alguacil’s side are within touching distance of a return to the pinnacle of European club football.
La Real are punching above their weight in La Liga and are right up there with the big boys this campaign, having amassed 55 points from 31.
As it stands, Alguacil’s side are in 4th place with a fairly hefty cushion on either side - Diego Simeoni’s Atletico Madrid sit 8 points higher in third Real Betis are Sociedad’s closest rival on 6 points behind in 5th place.
With seven games left to play, La Real face the mother of all run-ins though, with fixtures against ALL the teams that sit above them in the table.
Alguacil’s side will take on Real Madrid at home before trips on the road to face both Barca and Atletico away. Friday night’s trip to Osasuna is therefore about as ‘must-win’ as you can get.
Osasuna currently sit in 8th place in the La Liga table, but their league position doesn't go anywhere near telling the story of what could be an incredible season for The Little Reds.
Jagoba Arrasate’s side beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 on aggregate to book a place in the final Copa del Rey, where they’ll line up against none other than Real Madrid at Sevilla’s Estadio La Cartuja next month.
It’s the club’s first final since they were beaten by Betis to the Spanish Cup back in 2005, and - should they pull off an spectacular upset - victory against Real would see Sociedad win a knockout competition for the first time in their history.
Should they fail, Real Sociedad’s league position still offers the potential of European football next year. Alguacil’s side is just three points short of Villereal, who currently sit in sixth place occupying the Europa Conference league qualifying spot.
Nuts and Bolts
Sociedad head into Friday night’s matchup having lost only once in their last five matches in all competitions.
But despite being unbeaten in each of their last five matches at home, La Real’s away record has been awful of late.
Alguacil’s side haven't won on the road since a 3-2 win against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium back in mid-February - meaning the Little Reds are without a win in five matches on the road.
Sociedad ran out 2-0 winners when these sides last met back in December. But Osasuna are unbeaten in four of their last five at the El Sadar stadium.
That particular stat will give the home side confidence heading into the fixture, with plenty on the line for both of these sides.
Nuts and Bolts
Homestand Picks
All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets
In their pursuit of Champions League football Real Sociedad badly need a win here. But Osasuna’s form at the El Sadar stadium makes this a tough away match for La Real, and we’re calling this one a draw.
Osasuna have found the net in four of their last five, and Real Sociedad scored three the last time these teams met in the reverse fixture.
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