Osasuna vs Espanyol

In-form Osasuna will host struggling Espanyol at Estadio El Sadar on Sunday as the battle for European football comes to a head in La Liga.

This weekend, Los Rojillos will try to win two straight games, while Los Periquitos will try to put an end to the losing streak after four straight losses. With two games remaining, Vicente Moreno's Osasuna are still vying for a spot in the top eight after losing just one of their previous eight games.

On Thursday, Los Rojillos secured a commanding 2-0 victory against Atlético Madrid, earning all three points with a first-half goal from center-back Alejandro Catena and a late clincher by forward Ante Budimir.

This triumph positioned Moreno’s squad ninth in the standings, tied at 48 points with eighth-placed Rayo Vallecano, who currently hold the division’s slot for UEFA Conference League qualification.

With four victories in their last six matches, the home side trails Los Franjirrojos by just a one-goal difference. Having won their past three consecutive games at Estadio El Sadar, they are poised to potentially surpass their rivals this weekend.

Should Osasuna achieve their 12th win of the campaign on Sunday, they could climb to eighth place, possibly closing the gap to within one point of seventh-placed Celta Vigo before the final matchday 38.

Conversely, Manolo Gonzalez’s Espanyol are grappling with a four-match losing streak and have yet to secure their place wedges in the top flight for the 2025-26 season.

In their most recent outing, Los Periquitos suffered a 2-0 home defeat to crosstown rivals Barcelona, who claimed their 28th La Liga title with a stunning goal from young star Lamine Yamal and a stoppage-time finisher by Fermín López.

This loss left Gonzalez’s team in 16th place with 39 points, only five points clear of 18th-placed Leganés, with just two games left in the season.

Despite their relatively safe position, the away side’s supporters are uneasy, as their team has lost their last two away matches, including a 3-2 defeat to Los Pepineros last weekend, and their top-flight status remains uncertain until mathematically confirmed.

However, both fans and players are aware that a single victory would ensure Espanyol’s place in La Liga next season. While a loss could leave them vulnerable on the final day of the 2024-25 campaign, relegation candidates Leganés would also need to win their upcoming match to create a precarious situation.