Osasuna, the La Liga team, seemed to be on track for their first win in five matches when they took a 2-0 lead against Athletic Bilbao. However, their hopes were dashed when they conceded a 96th-minute equalizer. This result means that Osasuna is now one game away from their joint-longest winless streak in La Liga since going ten matches without victory between October 2021 and January 2022.
The team’s recent form has dampened the mood around El Sadar, as manager Jagoba Arrasate’s six-year tenure comes to a close. There is a possibility that the club will record their lowest points tally in a single campaign since Arrasate took charge.
A Chance for Improvement
Despite their struggles, Osasuna, currently in mid-table, have a chance to improve their situation on Tuesday evening against a Mallorca side that is currently below them in the standings. Osasuna’s overall record this season against teams below them is respectable, with only four defeats in thirteen games. They have managed to secure six wins and three draws in these matches.
On the other hand, Mallorca is aiming for back-to-back La Liga wins for the first time since April of the previous year. Achieving this feat would all but secure their survival in the league. Additionally, if Mallorca earns three points in this match, it will mark Javier Aguirre’s 350th career win as a manager. However, Aguirre’s future beyond this summer, when his contract expires, remains uncertain.
Mallorca’s Road Woes
Mallorca’s chances of claiming victory in midweek may be hindered by their poor away record this season. They have only managed to secure one league victory on their travels, with seven draws and nine losses. Despite this, Mallorca has shown resilience in their away games, particularly in the latter stages of matches. They have only conceded four goals from the 76th minute onwards, a statistic that is only inferior to Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Barcelona.
Players to Watch
Raúl García, who scored the opening goal in Osasuna’s recent match, will be a player to watch. He also found the net in Osasuna’s 3-2 loss to Mallorca in December, with his two other goals this season coming in second-half stoppage time. On the other side, Dani Rodriguez will be a key player for Mallorca. He contributed to all three home goals in the previous fixture against Osasuna, with one goal and two assists. However, Rodriguez has only been on the winning side in two of his four scoring appearances in the 2023/24 season.
Hot Stat
An interesting statistic to note is that no team in La Liga has picked up fewer points from losing positions than Osasuna this season. They have only managed to secure three points in matches where they were trailing.
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