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La Liga Preview: Osasuna - Almeria
Los Rojillos kick-off with a home match against the Andalucians...
| Bet: | Returns: | Osasuna £90.00 | Draw £47.50 | Barcelona £13.33 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Osasuna £85.00 | Draw £47.50 | Barcelona £13.60 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Osasuna £90.00 | Draw £45.00 | Barcelona £13.64 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Osasuna £90.00 | Draw £50.00 | Barcelona £13.30 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Osasuna £85.00 | Draw £45.00 | Barcelona £13.10 |
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By Robin Bairner
Good To Go
A well matched encounter should be in store at the Reyno de Navarra, where Osasuna, last term’s 12th placed side, meet Almeria, who finished only one point and one place below them. Though both teams ultimately commanded mid-table spots, they were not a million miles away from the drop zone and both will be keen to put as much distance between them and the bottom three as quickly as possible.
Fernando Soriano was one of the major acquisitions of the Pamplona club over the summer, and he will ironically debut against his former club. He is not about to give Almeria any concessions, however.
“It's anecdotal to face Almeria in the first game,” he told the press. “I have friends in Almeria, but that means nothing and I will try to win by all means.”
He is already growing accustomed to life with Osasuna and is pleased to be backed by a passionate group of home fans, who the 30-year-old midfielder believes can work to intimidate the opposition. “We came [when I was in Almeria] with something of a fear, respect or fear, because this arena has something special and I have experienced it as a rival,” he mused.
The last five occasions this fixture has been played, it has been won by the home side, with Osasuna claiming the latest encounter 1-0 back in March. A repeat would be a welcome start to the season.
Still Going Strong Against The Odds
Almeria enjoyed something of a rejuvenation under Juan Manuel Lillo towards the end of last season. Prior to Christmas they were a struggling side, but Lillo coaxed them away from a direct style of play towards a more attacking approach in the second half of the campaign and led the Andalucian club impressively away from the foot of the standings.
Towards the end of the campaign, the Mediterraneo side allowed their form to slip a little again, and Lillo will be anxious that such a trend does not continue deep into the new season.
Financing the team has proven to be something of a sticky issue this summer. President Alfonso Garcia is determined not to pump any additional money into the club, but the fans have not responded well to the side’s plea for additional season ticket holders. As of last Friday, there were reports that fewer than 9,000 had shelled out to be guaranteed seats each fortnight at the Estadio del Mediterraneo.
Now into their fourth successive season of Primera Division football, Almeria have yet to really endure a serious relegation battle and will be keen to maintain that record for at least another season. Their squad looks in decent shape, and they will be aiming for another season of mid-table safety, starting ideally with a win.
TEAM NEWS
Osasuna
Already home coach Jose Antonio Camacho has moved to name his starting XI for the weekend’s match, handing debuts to right-back Damia and Fernando Soriano. He has no selection headaches, having loaned Roversio to Real Betis earlier this week.
Probable Starting XI: Ricardo; Damia, Sergio, Josetxo, Monreal; Juanfran, Soriano, Nekounam, Camunas; Pandiani, Aranda
Almeria
Marcelo Silva returned to training on Wednesday and should be used normally in the weekend’s encounter, though there are a handful of problems still posing problems for Juan Manuel Lillo. Miguel Angel Nieto continues to struggle with a strained ligament in his left ankle while Nieto and Pellerano are rehabilitating from problems.
Probable Starting XI: Diego Alves; Michel, Silva, Jakobsen; Vargas, Mbami, Bernadello, Valeri; Piatti, Ulloa, Crusat
A well matched encounter should be in store at the Reyno de Navarra, where Osasuna, last term’s 12th placed side, meet Almeria, who finished only one point and one place below them. Though both teams ultimately commanded mid-table spots, they were not a million miles away from the drop zone and both will be keen to put as much distance between them and the bottom three as quickly as possible.
Fernando Soriano was one of the major acquisitions of the Pamplona club over the summer, and he will ironically debut against his former club. He is not about to give Almeria any concessions, however.
“It's anecdotal to face Almeria in the first game,” he told the press. “I have friends in Almeria, but that means nothing and I will try to win by all means.”
He is already growing accustomed to life with Osasuna and is pleased to be backed by a passionate group of home fans, who the 30-year-old midfielder believes can work to intimidate the opposition. “We came [when I was in Almeria] with something of a fear, respect or fear, because this arena has something special and I have experienced it as a rival,” he mused.
The last five occasions this fixture has been played, it has been won by the home side, with Osasuna claiming the latest encounter 1-0 back in March. A repeat would be a welcome start to the season.
Still Going Strong Against The Odds
Almeria enjoyed something of a rejuvenation under Juan Manuel Lillo towards the end of last season. Prior to Christmas they were a struggling side, but Lillo coaxed them away from a direct style of play towards a more attacking approach in the second half of the campaign and led the Andalucian club impressively away from the foot of the standings.
Towards the end of the campaign, the Mediterraneo side allowed their form to slip a little again, and Lillo will be anxious that such a trend does not continue deep into the new season.
Financing the team has proven to be something of a sticky issue this summer. President Alfonso Garcia is determined not to pump any additional money into the club, but the fans have not responded well to the side’s plea for additional season ticket holders. As of last Friday, there were reports that fewer than 9,000 had shelled out to be guaranteed seats each fortnight at the Estadio del Mediterraneo.
Now into their fourth successive season of Primera Division football, Almeria have yet to really endure a serious relegation battle and will be keen to maintain that record for at least another season. Their squad looks in decent shape, and they will be aiming for another season of mid-table safety, starting ideally with a win.
TEAM NEWS
Osasuna
Already home coach Jose Antonio Camacho has moved to name his starting XI for the weekend’s match, handing debuts to right-back Damia and Fernando Soriano. He has no selection headaches, having loaned Roversio to Real Betis earlier this week.
Probable Starting XI: Ricardo; Damia, Sergio, Josetxo, Monreal; Juanfran, Soriano, Nekounam, Camunas; Pandiani, Aranda
Almeria
Marcelo Silva returned to training on Wednesday and should be used normally in the weekend’s encounter, though there are a handful of problems still posing problems for Juan Manuel Lillo. Miguel Angel Nieto continues to struggle with a strained ligament in his left ankle while Nieto and Pellerano are rehabilitating from problems.
Probable Starting XI: Diego Alves; Michel, Silva, Jakobsen; Vargas, Mbami, Bernadello, Valeri; Piatti, Ulloa, Crusat
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
Osasuna 0-0 Almeria
- 30.99 %
-
Osasuna 1-0 Almeria
- 28.17 %
-
Osasuna 2-0 Almeria
- 11.27 %
| Spain - Copa del Rey (ESPC) | Dec 21, 2011 | Osasuna 1 - Almeria 1 |
|
| Spain - Copa del Rey (ESPC) | Dec 13, 2011 | Almeria 1 - Osasuna 3 |
|
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Jan 23, 2011 | Almeria 3 - Osasuna 2 |
|
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Aug 29, 2010 | Osasuna 0 - Almeria 0 |
|
| Spain - Primera Division (LIGA) | Mar 28, 2010 | Osasuna 1 - Almeria 0 |
|
Osasuna
   |
||
| Feb 5, 2012 | Sporting de Gijon 1 - Osasuna 1 | LIGA |
| Jan 30, 2012 | Osasuna 0 - Atletico Madrid 1 | LIGA |
| Jan 22, 2012 | Osasuna 1 - Valencia CF 1 | LIGA |
| Jan 15, 2012 | Osasuna 0 - Racing 2 | LIGA |
| Jan 12, 2012 | Osasuna 1 - FC Barcelona 2 | ESPC |
Almeria
  |
||
| Dec 21, 2011 | Osasuna 1 - Almeria 1 | ESPC |
| Dec 13, 2011 | Almeria 1 - Osasuna 3 | ESPC |
| May 21, 2011 | Real Madrid CF 8 - Almeria 1 | LIGA |
| May 15, 2011 | Almeria 3 - Mallorca 1 | LIGA |
| May 11, 2011 | Almeria 0 - Villarreal 0 | LIGA |
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
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Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £100 in free bets! |
|
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power for a free bet up to £50 |
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| 1 | Ricardo | Goalkeeper |
| 24 | Damià | Defender |
| - | Josetxo | Defender |
| 23 | Sergio | Defender |
| 15 | Monreal | Defender |
| 20 | Juanfran | Midfielder |
| 6 | Javad Nekounam | Midfielder |
| 6 | Soriano | Midfielder |
| 17 | Javi Camuñas | Midfielder |
| 9 | Carlos Aranda | Striker |
| 20 | Pandiani | Striker |
| 15 | Oier | Midfielder |
| 8 | Masoud | Midfielder |
| 23 | Krisztian Vadocz | Midfielder |
| 4 | Miguel Flaño | Defender |
| 9 | Dejan Lekic | Striker |
| 10 | Patxi Puñal | Midfielder |
| 1 | Diego Alves | Goalkeeper |
| - | Juanma Ortiz | Midfielder |
| 21 | Carlos García | Defender |
| 18 | Santi Acasiete | Defender |
| 2 | Michael Jakobsen | Defender |
| 5 | Hernán Bernardello | Midfielder |
| 19 | M'Bami | Midfielder |
| 21 | Fabián Andrés Vargas | Midfielder |
| 15 | Corona | Midfielder |
| 7 | Crusat | Midfielder |
| 14 | Pablo Piatti | Striker |
| 1 | Esteban | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Marcelo Silva Fernández | Defender |
| - | Rigo | Defender |
| 11 | Henok Goitom | Striker |
| 10 | José Ortiz | Midfielder |
| 23 | José Ulloa | Striker |
| 16 | Míchel | Defender |
| Soriano | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 6 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fernando Soriano was a five-year servant with Almeria before switching to Osasuna this summer. Having indicated his desire to put his former club to the sword this Sunday, he will play a central role for los Rojillos, but may not be charged with the offensive responsibility he was asked to undertake last term, when he scored seven goals. Of course, a contribution from midfield would not go amiss, but Walter Pandiani is the man most likely to provide the firepower for the hosts. Signed for free in the summer, he could prove a real bargain.
| M'Bami | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 19 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Modeste M'Bami has boasted that he returns to action cutting a slimmer figure than he did last season. The holding midfielder will be asked to stop Osasuna dominating the centre of the field, and he will hope his added mobility and fitness can pay dividends in the early weeks of the season, when the heat of the summer is not entirely gone and legs are still heavy from pre-season.
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24 
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23 
15 
20 
6 
6 
17 
9 
20 
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0 
21 
18 
2 
5 
19 
21 
15 
7 
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Results
Times In BST
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
24 | 9 |
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
23 | 2 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atl. Madrid |
14 | 5 |
|
Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker Real Madrid |
14 | 0 |
|
Roberto Soldado
Striker Valencia |
12 | 0 |
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