Real Sociedad and Osasuna will lock horns for just the second time in a matter of days when they face off in Thursday's Copa del Rey quarter-final at the Reale Arena.
La Real will have home advantage on this occasion after falling to a 2-1 defeat in Sunday's La Liga clash at El Sadar.
Match preview
© Imago
Real Sociedad have experienced a poor run of results in recent times, having lost four of their last five matches in all competitions.
La Real suffered league defeats to Valencia and Getafe on either side of a 3-1 loss to Lazio in the Conference League, before they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 European victory over PAOK, securing them a spot in the knockout round playoffs.
Unfortunately for Real Sociedad, they were unable to build upon their successful European outing in Sunday's home league clash against Osasuna, with Orri Oskarsson's late effort proving to be a mere consolation in a 2-1 defeat.
Having taken just four points from their last six league games, Real Sociedad are languishing in the bottom half of the table in 11th position, with four points separating them from the top six.
La Real will now put their league campaign on hold to focus on their Copa del Rey campaign, with Imanol Alguacil's side competing in the quarter-finals for a fourth consecutive season after seeing off Jove Espanol, Conquense, Ponferradina and Rayo Vallecano.
The three-time Copa del Rey winners will fancy their chances of reaching the semi-finals for the second season in a row, having won seven of their previous nine home matches in all competitions.
© Imago
While Real Sociedad are looking to win the Copa del Rey for the first time since 2019-20, Osasuna are dreaming of winning their first-ever major trophy after falling just short of that goal in the 2021-22 season.
In that memorable cup run, Los Rojillos successfully navigated their way to their second Copa del Rey final, only to lose 2-1 to Real Madrid in the final.
Osasuna are competing in the 2024-25 quarter-final after dispatching Chiclana, Ceuta and Tenerife, before an Ante Budimir brace guided them to a 3-2 away victory in last month's last-16 clash against the holders Athletic Bilbao.
Los Rojillos followed that cup win with league draws against Rayo and Las Palmas, before they edged out Real Sociedad at the weekend to claim their first La Liga victory since beating Real Valladolid at the start of November, moving them up to eighth place in the standings.
As they now head on the road for Thursday's cup tie, the visitors will look to draw inspiration from the fact they have won their last two away games against Real Sociedad, including a 2-0 win on their most recent visit to the Reale Arena in October.
On that occasion, Lucas Torro and Budimir grabbed a goal apiece to fire Osasuna to all three points, with the result still representing their most recent away win in La Liga.
Team News
© Imago
Real Sociedad defender Hamari Traore is continuing his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament injury, while Alvaro Odriozola is expected to miss a second straight game with a rib issue.
Alguacil could be tempted to make changes to the side that lost at the weekend, with Aihen Munoz and Sergio Gomez among those who could come into the starting lineup for Thursday's cup tie.
Oskarsson is also pushing for a starting berth after scoring three goals in Real Sociedad's last two competitive matches.
Meanwhile, Osasuna head coach Vicente Moreno has the luxury of calling upon a full squad, having reported no injury concerns ahead of the away trip.
Bryan Zaragoza returned from injury to feature as a late substitute on Sunday, and while it is unclear whether he is fit to start, the winger will at least provide a potential game-changing option off the bench for the quarter-final clash.
Budimir will continue to offer the main goal threat for Osasuna after scoring 15 times in 25 competitive appearances this season, including three goals in the Copa del Rey.
Real Sociedad possible starting lineup:
Remiro; Aramburu, Zubeldia, Aguerd, Munoz; Kubo, Zubimendi, Sucic, Gomez; Oyarzabal, Oskarsson
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Areso, Boyomo, Catena, Cruz; Moncayola, Torro, Oroz; Ru. Garcia, Barja, Budimir
We say: Real Sociedad 2-1 Osasuna
Real Sociedad will be looking forward to having home advantage following their unsuccessful trip to El Sadar at the weekend, and after winning seven of their last nine competitive matches at the Reale Arena, we think they will do enough to claim a narrow win to seal their spot in the semi-finals.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
