Valencia and Osasuna will star this Saturday at Mestalla in a direct duel for not losing their options to try to assault the European positions in the final stretch of the League, which in the case of the locals will be marked by rotations ahead of the Copa del Rey final scheduled just in a week.
Valencia faces this clash from ninth place with 42 points, four less than Villarreal, which ranks seventh (the last one that gives the right to play continental competitions) and three less than Athletic, which is eighth. Osasuna, meanwhile, is tenth with 41 points and, therefore, would advance to those of Jose Bordalás in case of winning at Mestalla.
Rotations thinking about the Cup
Although the Cup, in addition to a title, gives its winner a place in the Europa League, Valencia has the opportunity with this match and the one on Tuesday against Villarreal to reach that date with their options to achieve that goal from LaLiga very reinforced.
However, even though arrives with a long streak of undefeated clashes and after having managed to significantly improve his defensive performance, he also does so after having won only one of the last four league games and after two consecutive draws.
Having conceded only one goal in those last four games has had a prize of only six points out of a possible twelvea situation that has prevented the team from increasing its pressure on Villarreal and Athletic.
The injury of Gabriel Paulista in the last game against Rayo Vallecano, he opened the debate on whether to reserve certain players who are more likely to get injured in these two games that remain before the final and Bordalás confirmed this Friday that there will be rotations, which means many unknowns for the eleven.
Along with the Spanish-Brazilian central defender, who is a doubt for the final, the striker will also be absent for this match Maxi Gomezwho has a toe problem.
Pamplona dreams of Europe
Osasuna will seek to hook up to the European train against a direct rival to live with emotion the last six days of the championship.
Tajonar’s men closed their third consecutive victory at home against Levante with a goal from Budimir which helped his team overcome the 40-point barrier and settle in tenth position in the table.
The Osasuna coach, Jagoba Arrasateacknowledged this Friday at a press conference that “away from home we have not been well in the last two games and we need another version & rdquor ;.
The Basque coach has sent a clear message after the victory against the Alava: “we want more & rdquor ;. And he put on the table the possibility of thinking about greater goals if they manage to leave through the front door of Mestalla.
The idea that Osasuna is looking for is improve their performance away from El Sadar. The last three defeats in a row away from home with nine goals conceded and only one for should activate a squad that started the season with four consecutive away wins.
About the players who can start, slay He has warned that there will be changes, but it does not seem that he is going to touch his fundamental pieces.
Manu Sanchez will return rather Cote, Darko either Javi martinez could happen to Inigo Perez in the center of the field, the bands will be for Chimy Avila and Ruben Garciaand the tip for a Budimir hungry for a goal.
Likely lineups
Valencia: Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Comert, Diakhaby, Alderete, Lato; Musah, Guillamon, Soler; Guedes, Hard.
Osuna: Sergio Herrera; Nacho Vidal, Aridane, David Garcia, Manu Sanchez; Lucas Torro; Chimy Ávila, Moncayola, Darko, Rubén García; Budimir.
Referee: Mario Melero Gómez (Andalusian school)
Stadium: Mestalla.
Time: 18.30.