Valencia Seek Crucial Away Win Against Osasuna in La Liga

Image credits: Imago

Valencia will be bidding to bounce back from a heavy home defeat to Atletico Madrid when they continue their La Liga campaign with an away fixture against Osasuna on Sunday night. Los Che are currently 18th in the La Liga table, level on points with 17th-placed Las Palmas, while Osasuna are 12th, only three points behind sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano in the race to secure European football. Osasuna have won seven, drawn 11 and lost seven of their 25 league matches this season to collect 32 points, which has left them in 12th spot in the table.

Osasuna finished 11th in Spain's top flight last term, but they were seventh in 2022-23, so it would not be a surprise to see them high up the division this term, with sixth certainly an achievable target. Vicente Moreno's side will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Celta Vigo, and they have only picked up two points from their last three league games, but that run includes a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid. Osasuna beat Real Sociedad at the start of the month, meanwhile, and they have been in impressive form on home soil this season, picking up 23 points from their 13 matches in front of their own supporters.

Valencia have a record of five wins, eight draws and 12 defeats from their 25 league matches this season, with 23 points leaving them in 18th spot in the table, level on points with 17th-placed Las Palmas. Los Che will enter this match off the back of a 3-0 home defeat to Atletico, with that loss ending a three-game unbeaten run in La Liga, which saw Carlos Corberan's side claim seven points. Valencia have struggled on their travels this season, failing to triumph in 12 matches, which is an indication of the size of their task in this match, while they have found the back of the net on just seven occasions away from home in La Liga this term. The six-time Spanish champions have not been relegated from Spain's top flight since 1987, and there is no question that it would be one of the biggest shocks in the history of the competition if they dropped out of La Liga this season.

Osasuna will welcome Jesus Areso and Aimar Oroz back into their squad after the pair missed out against Celta through suspension. Areso and Oroz are both expected to come back into the XI for this match, but head coach Moreno is likely to continue with a 5-3-2 formation, including Bryan Zaragoza alongside Ante Budimir in the final third of the field. Budimir has again been in strong form this season, scoring 13 times in Spain's top flight, and the 33-year-old will be bidding to fire his side to another three points in Sunday's affair. As for Valencia, Thierry Correia remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury, but Los Che are otherwise in strong shape, and there will be changes from the side that started against Atletico. The possible starting lineups are:

• Osasuna: Herrera; Areso, Boyomo, Catena, Herrando, Bretones; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Budimir, Zaragoza
• Valencia: Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Tarrega, Mosquera, Gaya; Pepelu, Barrenechea, Guerra; Almeida, Duro, D Lopez

Valencia's coach, Carlos Corberan, is convinced that his team can get a result at Osasuna, and he has stated that the team has ambition and conviction, and that they are capable of managing victories and defeats. He also emphasized the importance of concentration and attention to detail in matches like this, where every action could be decisive. With a win at Osasuna, Valencia could escape the relegation zone for the first time since matchday 7, and they could even climb two places in the standings, depending on other results.

The match between Osasuna and Valencia is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams having a lot to play for. Osasuna are chasing European football, while Valencia are fighting to avoid relegation. The match will be a test of the teams' endurance and determination, and it will be interesting to see which team comes out on top. Valencia have not secured a single victory on the road this season, making this a vital area for improvement, and they will need to be at their best to get a result at Osasuna. The match will be a crucial one for both teams, and it will have a significant impact on the La Liga table.

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