Osasuna vs Levante Prediction: Back the home side to get a BIG Win

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There's a relegation six-pointer on Monday night in La Liga as Osasuna take on Levante at El Sadar. The visitors are under caretaker management after Julián Calero was sacked last weekend. 

A similar fate may await Osasuna boss Alessio Lisci if results don't improve soon. Los Rojillos have not finished lower than 11th since winning promotion to the top flight back in 2019. Vicente Moreno departed after a solid mid-table campaign in the summer, with the hope being that a younger coach could spark an upturn in their fortunes. 

Lisci worked wonders with second-tier Mirandés last term, having previously managed in the top flight with Levante in the 2021/22 season. However, he has struggled to really get his ideas across at his new club, who have gone backwards under the 40-year-old's leadership until this point. 

Osasuna's relative success in recent years has largely come thanks to the goals of Ante Budimir. The Croatian scored 38 times across the previous two La Liga seasons, an exceptional return for a mid-table outfit. Budimir is their top scorer again with four league goals this term, but he hasn't had enough support. 

Víctor Muñoz was Osasuna's standout summer buy from Real Madrid, but the young forward has only scored once. Promising midfielder Aimar Oroz is also yet to net in an injury-ravaged campaign. 

The hosts head into this fixture having only collected two points from their last six league games. All three of their victories have come at El Sadar, but they've had a slightly better week on the road, drawing 2-2 at Mallorca in La Liga before a 5-3 win at CD Ebro in the Copa del Rey last Tuesday. 

Levante became the second Spanish top-flight club to dismiss their coach this season, when Calero departed after a 2-0 home defeat to Athletic last weekend. They're yet to win in front of their own fans this term, but road wins at Girona and Oviedo ensure the newly promoted side are still in touch with the teams above them. 

That could change to some extent on Monday night, as a defeat in Pamplona would see them fall five points from safety. They're set to be under caretaker management, with former Levante players Álvaro del Moral and Vicente Iborra taking charge of the team. 

They've already overseen a 1-0 win against fifth-tier minnows Cieza in the Copa del Rey. It'll be interesting to see whether they make any major changes to an approach that has seen the Valencia club largely look to play on the break this season. They've had less than 40% of the ball on their return to the top flight, with only Getafe having less possession. 

It hasn't all been doom and gloom for Levante this term, and they have carried an attacking threat at times. Strikers Iván Romero and Karl Etta Eyong have chipped in with nine goals between them, while youngster Carlos Álvarez has looked lively on the right flank. However, they've looked poor defensively, conceding 26 times, the second-worst record in the division. 

Team News: 

Osasuna have had a slight fitness scare over Budimir this week, but they're still hoping to have the striker in their starting lineup. Iker Benito is definitely sidelined with an ACL injury, while the hosts have additional fitness doubts over Kike Barja and Valentin Rosier. 

Given the change in the dugout, there's more uncertainty over exactly how Levante will set up in this game. They did stick with a 4-4-2 formation in the cup, but numerous fringe players were given opportunities, so it wasn't their best side by any means. 

A number of defensive injuries add to their current woes. Centre-backs Matías Moreno, Adrián de la Fuente, and Unai Elgezabal are all sidelined. They have additional doubts over Pablo Martínez and Carlos Espí.