Osasuna reaches a milestone with a peak of emotion after securing a historic spot again, and the King’s Cup final could lead to a Saudi Arabia move next season, while the team sits comfortably in ninth with 35 points and near certain safety, with European football still within reach.
In contrast, Elche CF marks its centenary in a deep slump. The club sits at the bottom with 13 points, having claimed only two wins all season and facing relegation to the Segunda Division.
Judging by these numbers, Osasuna appears to be the clear favorite for this Saturday’s match at El Sadar as they host Franjiverdes.
Yet Elche, invigorated by the arrival of sixth coach Sebastián Beccacece, will aim to ride the Navarra party and cup-night hangover. Fans hope this spark will rekindle their passion and lift the mood through a dose of adrenaline and belief, at least for the moment.
Football remains unpredictable. Elche will give it a go. Beccacece and his squad are keen to exploit every advantage all week, while Osasuna had little time to prepare, focusing more on the second leg of the cup semi-final against Athletic Club Bilbao.
The fatigue from the exertion at San Mamés could weigh on Osasuna. The Franjiverdes are expected to take advantage of their freshness, but Jagoba Arrasate will field a lineup different from the one used against Athletic on Tuesday.
Beccacece has signaled a desire to keep the starting XI that beat Barcelona last Saturday in the first league match against the leader, aiming for continuity.
Two games to draw more and better results from the new Elche de Beccacece
Galvanized
Argentinian coach surprised the midfielder by deploying Omar Mascarell as a central defender and Carmona at right-back in a pivot role. Sevillian, unavailable in the Catalan clash, will not repeat the same starting arrangement.
New Elche boss keeps players motivated. Lucas Boyé returns after serving a one-match suspension; the striker remains a focal point alongside his compatriot, and his inclusion in the starting XI is a notable surprise.
The question is who will replace Carmona. It seems Mascarell could stay at center, and Raúl Guti could be the backup option if the Spaniard takes a deeper position, aligning with the Barcelona game where Raúl Guti featured in that role.
Beccacece’s plan includes keeping Beccacece on the same keel as in the prior match, adjusting only where necessary to leverage Elche’s fresh energy.
Beccacece instructs his players during practice
Despite Enzo Roco returning after three weeks out with injury, the Chilean will be part of the defensive setup if the partnership with Bigas in central defense is restored, with Carlos Clerc providing support on the left.
The rest of the lineup should remain stable, but changes could still come. Father Milla could move to the bench or switch to the right wing to accommodate Tete Morente’s role against a tough opponent.
Carmona and Nteka are listed as the only injuries for Elche. Beccacece enjoys a full squad with 24 players and will need to decide who misses out. The return of Pape Cheikh could be a factor, though the Argentine coach noted that he faced a challenge in reintroducing the midfielder after a month away before facing Osasuna.
Elche took Carmona and Nteka’s losses to face Osasuna, aiming to save Boyé, Roco and Pape Cheikh for the key moment against their Navarra hosts.
If Pape Cheikh cannot feature, the midfielder could occupy a central role. Mascarell may stay in the backline with Bigas, while a rotation of defenders like Roco, Diego González, Gonzalo Verdú, Lisandro Magallán and a young option could be used as needed. The only confirmed absences remain Carmona and Randy Nteka, with the club announcing a right adductor tear for Sevillian, implying a likely absence of about two months and effectively ending his season. Nteka has been out for over two weeks and will rejoin gradually, making his next appearance unlikely against Girona.
The Franjiverde squad travels to Pamplona on a direct charter flight this Friday afternoon, gathering at the Castillo de Gorraiz hotel before returning after the Osasuna match.