Afternoon all! The first of our three back-to-back live La Liga commentaries comes from Pamplona as Osasuna welcome Athletic Bilbao. The home side were recently eliminated from the Copa del Rey, but their league form has picked up in recent weeks with two wins from their last three leaving them in 14th position in the table. Bilbao, meanwhile, remain in fourth spot.

In terms of the recent meetings between the two teams, Bilbao have won four of the last five matches between the two sides, with Osasuna also winning once during that period. As mentioned, the last time the two sides met in this stadium was in March 2013, when Bilbao collected all three points with a 1-0 win.

TEAMS:

OSASUNA: Fernandez; Bertran, Loties, Arribas, Damia; Cejudo, Lolo, Silva; Armenteros, Riera, De las Cuevas

BILBAO: Iraizoz; De Marcos, Gurpegi, San Jose, Balenziaga; Iturraspe, Rico, Herrera; Susaeta, Aduriz, Muniain

So there we have it. No Roberto Torres or Miguel Flano in the Osasuna XI this afternoon, but Armenteros does come into the team alongside Oriol Riera and De las Cuevas. Bilbao, meanwhile, recall Ander Herrera and Iker Muniain, but Ibai Gomez, who scored twice in their last league match, drops to the bench, which also includes Benat and Kike Sola.

Osasuna have been in and around the relegation zone this season, but seven points from their last three league games has moved them into 14th position. They have won just six of their 20 league games, however, drawing four and losing 10. Defeat this afternoon could see them once more sucked into trouble towards the bottom of the division.

Osasuna’s home form has been patchy this season with three wins from their nine matches, losing four times in the process. They have struggled on the road, however, with six defeats from 11. In truth, a top-half finish will surely be beyond them, but anything from 15th above would represent a fairly positive campaign.

Bilbao, meanwhile, are enjoying a terrific season. The Basque outfit currently sit in fourth position in the table on 39 points. They have won 12 of their 20 matches, drawing three and losing five – all of which have been on the road. Their home form this season has been sensational with nine wins and two draws from 11, which is the same record as Atletico Madrid at the Calderon.

The goals have flowed for Bilbao this season with 36 in their 20 matches, but that has not been the case for Osasuna, who have managed just 17 goals in the league, which is the second-worst record. Down the other end, Bilbao have been fairly compact with 26 conceded, while Osasuna have also been strong in relation to the teams around them with just 30 conceded.

Let me take this moment to remind you what we have to come later this evening in La Liga. Following this match, we have action from the Spanish capital as Rayo Vallecano welcome Atletico Madrid in what promises to be a feisty derby. The late start this evening sees Barcelona welcome Malaga to the Camp Nou – be sure to remain with us for all the action.

PREDICTION: Osasuna have been in strong form in recent weeks and they welcome a Bilbao side that has saved its best performances for San Mames. Both managers have selected attacking teams this afternoon, but I am finding it difficult to separate the pair. My score prediction is 2-2 at the El Sadar.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for an entertaining contest on this fairly mild afternoon in Pamplona. The home side get the first 45 minutes of action underway.

It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon. Let's hope that the intensity on the pitch lives up to the hype around the ground. Neither Barcelona or Real Madrid have beaten Osasuna on their own patch this season and therefore Bilbao have their work cut-out.

You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Bright start from Bilbao as De Marcos, who plays right-back this afternoon, drills a low cross into the box, but Andres Fernandez is on hand to claim. The early signs are positive.

Wonderful strike from Susaeta as the Bilbao winger thumps one into the top corner from the edge of the box. It was poor from Loties, however, with the Osasuna defender losing possession following a short pass from Fernandez.

Well, that is not the best start for the home side. Bilbao continue to threaten as Herrera drives down the left before attempting to find Aduriz, but this time Loties is across to clear the danger. Moments later, Susaeta tests Fernandez down to his left.

With Villarreal losing to Real Valladolid on Saturday afternoon, three points for Bilbao would really consolidate their position in the top four. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment as the away side continue to dictate possession in advanced areas.

Osasuna level the scores as Armenteros curls a stunning free kick into the bottom corner after the Argentine had been felled on the edge of the area by Iturraspe. Game on!

I had a feeling that this match would produce goals and that has been the case in the opening 13 minutes. I would be surprised if that remained the case with the intensity on display. Hardly time to take a breath at the moment as the match continues to flow from end-to-end.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession too readily in the final third. Bilbao have been the more progressive since conceding, but a series of low crosses have been collected by Fernandez, who has had a busy 16 minutes.

Bilbao regain the lead as Aduriz bundles home from close range following poor goalkeeping from Fernandez. Moments before, the Osasuna stopper had denied Herrera from close range, but he then failed to gather and Aduriz did not pass up the opportunity.

Wow - what an opening to this match! Osasuna break straight down the other end with Riera, but the Spaniard cannot find the run of De las Cuevas in the final third. The home supporters remain vocal, but their goalkeeper has made a couple of poor mistakes in the early stages of this La Liga contest.

Osasuna look incredibly nervous in defence at the moment as Bilbao continue to press in forward areas. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in terms of the final result. Moments later, Loties gains a yellow card for a poor challenge on Balenziaga.

Good spell for the home side in the last couple of moments as Silva twice delivers crosses into the Bilbao box, but the first is cleared by San Jose before the referee blows for a free kick. The intensity has just dropped in the last couple of minutes, which is not a surprise after an incredible opening 20 minutes in Pamplona.

Another half-chance for the away side as Susaeta drives into the box before rolling a low cross towards Aduriz, but the striker cannot get enough on his effort to worry Fernandez. The referee has been heavily involved in the last few moments, meanwhile, due to a number of late challenges.

The card count continues to rise as Aduriz is booked for a high challenge with Arribas. It has been slightly untidy in the last few moments with a number of late challenges. Neither side is really in control, meanwhile, with the match still flowing from end-to-end at the El Sadar.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Aduriz's header falls for Muniain inside the Osasuna box, but the Spaniard takes too long to unleash a strike and Loties makes the block. Another dangerous moment for the visitors with 31 minutes on the clock.

Osasuna just need to be a little bit careful here as the challenges continue to arrive in the middle of the park, while Bilbao remain the more inventive side in the final third. Another goal in the final 10 minutes of this half could change the picture dramatically. It has been a pulsating contest thus far.

CHANCE! Opportunity for the home side to level as Bertran carries the ball into the Bilbao box before attempting to find the top corner, but San Jose makes a fine block. The resulting corner is delivered towards the near post, but the referee whistles for a foul on the Bilbao goalkeeper.

Osasuna are forced into a change in the latter stages of the half as Cejudo is replaced by Acuna. I suspect that is an injury, but it cannot be confirmed at this moment. Bilbao continue to force the issue in the latter stages of the half with Muniain and Susaeta both causing problems in wide positions.

Osasuna threaten with a couple of crosses into the Bilbao box, but the away side manage to resist the danger before breaking with Muniain. The opening 40 minutes of this La Liga contest has just flown past. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals.

Half-chance for the home side as Riera carries the ball into the Bilbao half before finding Acuna, but his effort is just wide of the post. Bilbao are down the other end with De Marcos moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Fernandez.

Half-chance for Bilbao this time as Loties hands possession to Aduriz outside the Osasuna box, but the Frenchman manages to make the challenge at the vital moment. It does appear that Bilbao will take a 2-1 lead into the interval.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Bilbao leading 2-1. The away side took the lead inside three minutes through Susaeta, but Armenteros levelled the scores after 10 minutes. Bilbao regained the lead six minutes later, however, when Aduriz converted from close range.

STATISTICS: The away side have shaded the possession with 57%, while they have had eight attempts - four of which have been on target - to Osasuna's four. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could decide the final result.

BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Punal, Oier and Torres, but they have already made one change with Acuna replacing Cejudo. Bilbao, meanwhile, also have options in reserve with the likes of Benat, Sola and Ibai Gomez.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from the Spanish capital as Rayo Vallecano welcome Atletico Madrid - be sure to remain with us for that. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes of action underway in Pamplona.

No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect both managers will have changes in mind as the second period gathers pace. As it stands, Bilbao would move five points clear of fifth-place Villarreal. However, Osasuna have a five-match unbeaten record to protect. Aduriz has a half-chance moments into the half as he strikes one from the edge of the box, but Fernandez makes the save.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Rico collects a loose ball just inside the box, but he can only curl his effort wide of the post despite Fernandez struggling to return to his feet. More nervy defending from Osasuna in the early stages of the second half.

Half-chance for Osasuna this time as De las Cuevas finds the head of Riera inside the box, but his effort is wide of the post. Bilbao break down the other end with Susaeta, but his cross is cleared by Loties at the vital moment. The half-time interval has done nothing to slow the intensity.

Not too much to report in terms of clear opportunities in the last few moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. Meanwhile, the referee has been forced to deal with a number of late challenges. Little over 35 minutes of this La Liga contest remaining.

CHANCE! Bilbao come close to scoring their third as Susaeta strikes one from outside the box, but his free kick just whistles wide of the post. We are getting to the stage in the match where both managers will be thinking about changes. Both have players that could influence the latter stages.

The free kick count continues to rise as Muniain is felled outside the box by Bartra. The resulting set piece driven deep into the area by Susaeta, but Loties is on hand to clear. Acuna hands Bilbao another free kick moments later, but Lolo makes a vital block. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Osasuna to level as Damia collects a loose ball on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. It is not too difficult to see why he has not scored in 102 league games for Osasuna.

CHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Bertran drives into the Bilbao box before rounding San Jose, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Good pressure from the home side, but still Bilbao lead 2-1 with 63 minutes on the clock.

Bilbao have their third and Aduriz has his second as the Spaniard converts a deep cross from Herrera at the far post. A goal had been coming and Bilbao have extended their lead.

Aduriz is now on seven goals for the season and is on his way to netting double figures for the Basque outfit once more. Osasuna attempt to respond down the other end with Acuna, but his cross is straight into the arms of Iraizoz. Little under 25 minutes of football remaining in Pamplona.

Osasuna just need to be a little bit careful here as the challenges continue to arrive. Acuna becomes the latest name to enter the book and it would be a surprise if this match ended with all 22 players. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Herrera curls one just wide of the far post. This has been a pulsating La Liga contest.

Osasuna make their second change of the match as club captain Punal replaces Lolo for the final 20 minutes or so. Still no movement on the Bilbao bench, but they continue to look threatening in the final third. Just a reminder that three points for Bilbao would move them five points clear of fifth-place Villarreal.

Half-chance for Punal to find the back of the net as Osasuna skipper collects a pass from De las Cuevas on the edge of the box, but his effort is wide of the post. The crowd has been silenced and Bilbao look comfortable as the second period continues to gather pace.

The yellow card is out once more as Osasuna defender Arribas has his name taken for a late challenge on De Marcos. It has been scrappy in the last five minutes or so with Bilbao in control. The resulting free kick is delivered towards Aduriz, but Loties is on hand to clear.

Half-chance for the home side as Arribas meets a free kick from Armenteros, but his header is high of the crossbar. Moments later, Bilbao make their first change of the match as French defender Laporte enters the field in place of Iturraspe, who has again been impressive this evening.

Osasuna are reduced to 10 men as Arribas is handed his second yellow card for a late challenge on Susaeta. It goes from bad to worse for the home side.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with Bilbao in control of the possession. The away side have been very impressive this evening there is no question about that. The challenges continue to arrive as Acuna is lucky to escape a second booking for Osasuna.

Bilbao make their second change of the match as Ibai Gomez, who scored twice last week, replaces Susaeta for the final 10 minutes or so. Moments later, Osasuna make their third and final change with Torres replacing Silva. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments.

Half-chance for the away side as Gomez delivers a dangerous cross towards Aduriz, but Damia is on hand to clear the danger at the vital moment. The resulting corner eventually falls for San Jose, but somehow the Spaniard fires wide of the post.

Bilbao have their fourth in the latter stages as Ibai Gomez drives through the heart of the Osasuna defence before lifting his effort over Fernandez. Brilliant from the away side.

Not too much to report in the latter stages with Bilbao controlling possession of the ball. Bilbao have been brilliant in the second period there is no question about that. Little over two minutes of the 90 remaining.

Bilbao make it five in the latter stages as Sola converts from close range following a low cross from Herrera. It goes from bad to worse for the home side.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the second of those. Muniain has the chance to make it six from the edge of the box, but his low effort is saved by Fernandez.

So there we have it. Bilbao continue their strong run of form with a 5-1 win over Osasuna. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Rayo against Atletico. Until then!