Struggling La Liga side Osasuna travel to Segunda Division outfit Almeria in Copa del Rey action on Wednesday night as they do battle for a quarter-final spot.
Almeria recorded an eye-catching victory last time out in Copa del Rey action, thrashing top-flight Alaves 5-0, and they will be hoping to claim another La Liga scalp and secure their place in the final eight of the competition.
Match preview
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Almeria progressed through the first two rounds of the competition by easing past fourth-tier side L'Hospitalet with a 4-1 away win, and narrowly winning 2-1 away at Segunda Division B side Numancia.
This second win was far from routine for the visitors, with Lucas Robertone scoring an added-time winner and his second of the game to see his side through to the third round where top-flight opposition in the form of Alaves stood in their way.
However, Jose Manuel Gomes's side came through this tough test with flying colours, recording a strong 5-0 win. They went into half time with a three-goal lead courtesy of an Umar Sadiq brace and an Ager Aketxe strike, and their cause was further helped by a red card shown to an Alaves player after half an hour.
Almeria continued this intensity in the second half, forcing an own goal before Juan Villar added a fifth goal from the penalty spot to seal a convincing win for the home side.
It is no coincidence that Gomes's men have reached the final 16 of the Copa del Rey either; his side are currently battling for promotion back to La Liga in their sixth season since relegation from the top flight.
The Rojiblancos currently sit third in the Segunda Division, three points behind Espanyol and Mallorca who are level on points at the top of the table. However, Almeria have a game in hand on these two sides which could see them go level on points with the top two.
This follows a frustrating draw at home last time out, where 18th placed Sabadell scored late to hold Almeria to a point at the Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos, where a victory could have moved Wednesday evening's hosts to just one point behind the top two with the game in hand.
It was Segunda Division leaders Espanyol who Osasuna defeated to reach this stage. Jagoba Arrasate's side recorded a fairly comfortable 2-0 away win at the RCDE Stadium with Javier Martinez Calvo and Kike Barja scoring first-half goals to see the La Liga outfit through to the round of 16.
However, they have somewhat struggled in the league this season after a strong campaign last year. Los Rojillos finished in 10th place in their first season back in the top flight after promotion from the Segunda Division in 2019 but this season they find themselves in a battle to avoid relegation back to the second tier.
Osasuna have recorded just four league wins this season from 20 matches, drawing seven and losing nine. Only Granada, Real Betis and Celta Vigo have conceded more than their 29 league goals. However, these three sides have all been comfortably better going forward than Arraste's side, who have found the back of the net just 19 times in their 20 games.
Despite this, the side from Navarre have been building some form and confidence in recent weeks. They have won three of their last six games in all competitions, losing just one and drawing the other two. This includes a crucial league win over Granada in their last game which lifted them out of the relegation places up to 17th in La Liga.
Ante Budimir scored two goals in the first half and, after the visitors made it 2-1 after 50 minutes, Jon Moncayola scored late to seal an important first league win since October for his side.
They will be hoping to build on this positive result and extend their unbeaten run to four games in all competitions in this cup tie.
Almeria Copa del Rey form: WWW
Almeria form (all competitions): WLWWWD
Osasuna Copa del Rey form: WWW
Osasuna form (all competitions): WDLWDW
Team News
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Nigerian forward Umar Sadiq is expected to lead the line for Almeria and could cause the Osasuna defence problems in this cup tie.
Sadiq has recorded 10 goals and three assists from 19 appearances in the Segunda Division this season, and two goals in his one Copa del Rey match.
Osasuna are expected to still be without several squad members with injuries. Aridane Hernandez, Darko Brasanac, Adrian Lopez and Ruben all missed the win over Granada with existing injuries, and none of them are expected to be fit enough to make the starting 11 on Wednesday evening.
Facundo Roncaglia was shown a red card late on in the 3-1 win against Granada. However, this suspension does not apply to the Copa del Rey, therefore the defender is eligible to play in this fixture.
Almeria possible starting lineup:
Makaridze; Balliu, Fernandes, Cuenca, Centelles; Costa, Morlanes; Corpas, Carvalho, Aketxe; Sadiq
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Roncaglia, U Garcia, D Garcia, Sanchez; Jony, Lucas Torro, Calvo, Moncayola, R Garcia; Budimir
We say: Almeria 2-1 Osasuna
Despite Osasuna currently sitting a league above their hosts, we see Almeria as narrow favourites in this clash. Having already comfortably defeated La Liga opposition this season, they will be confident of repeating this feat to dump Osasuna out of the Copa del Rey thanks to their superior form so far this season.
Top betting tip
Sam Varley
