Three points separate Osasuna and Espanyol before today's El Sadar fixture

Osasuna's 2W-1D-1L start meets Espanyol's 1W-1D-2L record today at 14:15 UTC. Estadio El Sadar hosts a meeting between two sides separated in the early La Liga table, with both needing a result to shape the next phase of their season.

What's at stake

Osasuna are eighth on 7 points from four games, while Espanyol sit 12th on 4. A win would take Osasuna to 10 points, two behind current leaders Barcelona, who have 12; Espanyol could move to 7 and draw level with Osasuna if they take all three points. A defeat for Osasuna would remove their current points advantage.

The numbers

Osasuna have been unbeaten at home this season, recording 1 win and 1 draw, while conceding no goals across those two fixtures and keeping 2 clean sheets. Their overall record is 5 goals scored and 6 conceded in four matches.

Espanyol's away sample is smaller but less encouraging: 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 defeat, with 1 goal scored and 2 conceded. Their overall numbers are 6 scored and 5 conceded, while their recent sequence reads Win, Loss, Loss, Draw; Osasuna's is Draw, Win, Win, Loss.

One to watch

A. Budimir is the clearest attacking reference point, with 4 goals in 4 appearances for Osasuna. Espanyol's Roberto Fernández has 3 goals in 4 appearances, setting up a direct scoring comparison between the leading marksmen from the two squads.

Why it matters

Osasuna's selection is affected by the absences of M. Gomez and V. Rosier with hamstring injuries, plus J. Herrando and A. Oroz through injury and muscle injury respectively. Espanyol are without K. Garcia and A. Gorosabel, while J. Puado has a knee injury; the availability list gives both teams an immediate squad-management issue for today's fixture.