Atletico Madrid will be looking to extend their positive run to three matches without a defeat in La Liga when they travel to El Sadar to face an Osasuna side that is unbeaten in three, on Sunday at 15:15 GMT.
Furth-placed Atletico will be looking to retain their top-four status with a win on Sunday since they are currently tied on 31 points with 5th-placed Villarreal.
Osasuna will be looking to push for European places when they host Atletico on Sunday, given their current 7th position on the La Liga table.
Key Highlights
Osasuna’s Form
Jagoba Arrasate and his Osasuna charges have had hot and cold form this season. They are currently 7th on the La Liga table with 28 points, just three behind fourth-placed and their Sunday opponents Atletico Madrid.
Arrasate’s men have won just twice in their last six La Liga outings; they have also earned two draws while losing twice. This run of form has seen them collect 8 points and drop 10 points in the process.
However, given that they are unbeaten in three La Liga matches (two draws and a win), Osasuna will be confident of taking something from Atletico when they clash on Sunday.
Atletico’s Search for Consistency
Diego Simeone’s side currently lie 4th on the table, 13 points behind league leaders Barcelona. The gaffer will be looking to bolster their form, and specifically their consistency, to retain their top-four status.
Their inconsistency is highlighted by the fact that they have won twice, drawn once, and lost two times in their last five assignments in La Liga.
Diego Simeone will rue missed opportunities and damaging results, such as the 1-1 draw away to Almeria that encapsulates their season.
Simeone and his men will see the clash away to a rejuvenated Osasuna as an opportunity to draw a line and gain consistency in the second half of the season.
Injury Report
Osasuna
Osasuna will be without Nacho Vidal (hamstring injury) and Rubén Peña (torn muscle fiber) for their home clash against Atletico on Sunday.
The 28-year-old right-back Vidal has been sidelined for 7 matches so far this season, and the clash with Atletico will come too soon for the defender.
Rubén Peña has missed 5 matches so far with his injury, and Osasuna has set no time for a return; this indicates that his fitness is still way off.
Atletico
Diego Simeone will be without center-back José María Giménez with the 28-year-old facing an unknown injury since January 13th. The Uruguayan has already missed 4 matches for Atletico and will be a major doubt for the away match at Osasuna.
Atletico will also be without the services of Yannick Carrasco. The 29-year-old left winger has been nursing a muscle injury since January 15th. He has missed four matches already and has yet to set a return date.
Center-back Stefan Savic is also out of contention because of a suspension; he is expected to be back by February 23rd.
Possible Lineups
Osasuna
S. Herrera; J. Moncayola, U. Garcia, David Garcia, J. Cruz; M. Gomez, Lucas Torro; A. Oroz; E. Avila, Kike, K. Barja
Atletico
J. Oblak; N. Molina, A. Witsel, M. Hermoso, R. Mandava; Koke; A. Correa, M. Llorente, T. Lemar, A. Griezmann; A. Morata
Prediction
Osasuna will look to be compact and disciplined in their approach to the match against Atletico. They will close down spaces and ensure that Atletico attackers will have little room to exploit.
Atletico will look to play on the front foot, dominating the ball and controlling the tempo. They will focus on quick passing to break down the Osasuna structure.
Given Osasuna’s form, a draw is a likely result in this match.
Make sure to bet on Osasuna vs Atletico with 22Bet!