Real Sociedad vs Osasuna Match Preview
Real Sociedad needs to make Anoeta a fortress if they're meant to fight for the last European places. Osasuna's spirit received a major boost as Jose Antonio Camacho's boys fed on Real Madrid's blood two weeks ago, seven days before Jose Mourinho's Blancos humiliated Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu with a sound 4-1 victory for the hosts.
It's been over a year since Osasuna celebrated its last victory outside the Reyno de Navarra. Camacho's Rojillos are aware they need to improve their performance away if they're meant to secure the category.
He'll have to do without Carlos Aranda, Roberto López and Álvaro Cejudo, though he recovers winger Damia to widen the field and find open spaces in Txuri-Urdin's defense.
The presence of the Iranian international Javad Nekounam has been jeopardized as the midfielder left midweek's training with an intense muscular pain. His fellow countrymen Masoud Shojaei will be occupying a decisive role in the midfield for Osasuna.
Martin Lasarte's Errealas are drifting away in the middle of the positions table, and the outcome of this game might decide which fight they'll be facing for the final third of the Spanish league. A victory can take them seven points away from the seventh position, while a defeat can reduce the buffer zone from the bottom fight to only four points.
Xabi Prieto received his fifth yellow card and will be missing this game, while Joseba Llorente struggles to recover from his injuries. A vital clash for both squads, who'll succeed?