La Liga side Osasuna travel to the Estadio Municipal de Castalia to face third-tier Castellon in the Copa del Rey third round on Sunday.
The hosts are currently top of Group 2 in the Primera RFEF division and will provide stiff opposition in Osasuna's entry to this year's Copa.
Match preview
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Even though there are two divisions between the sides, Castellon could provide a stern test, given their brilliant form so far this campaign.
After being just 30 minutes from promotion last season before losing to Alcorcon in the playoffs, Castellon are determined to make less fuss about their push for the second tier this season.
The hosts have won 14 of their 18 league games so far this season, with the most recent of those victories coming against Sanluqueno in midweek to make the perfect start to 2024.
Even the Copa has been a great success for Dick Schreuder's side so far, as they saw off Real Oviedo from the division above in the last round, after edging past Cacereno on penalties in the first round.
Getting this far is already their best performance in the competition since a fourth round exit to Real Betis in 2008-09.
It will be a long shot for them to replicate their best-ever run, though, which saw them reach the final in 1973 to Athletic Bilbao when they were a first division side.
Castellon have since been absent from La Liga for 33 years, but have their chance to test themselves against a side from the top flight here.
Osasuna themselves were finalists just last year, but lost valiantly 2-1 to Real Madrid in their second final appearance in the past two decades.
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Their first cup final also ended in defeat, to Betis back in 2005, so manager Jagoba Arrasate will look to rally his troops again for their first cup tie of the season.
Currently marooned in mid-table, not threatening Europe or in danger of relegation, Osasuna may well target the Copa once again with not much to play for on the league front already.
The visitors will jet off for the Spanish Super Cup next week, where they face Barcelona in the semi-finals, but attention will be firmly fixed on this encounter first and foremost.
Going into that by ending their away winless run which stretches back to October 1 would be ideal for Osasuna.
Form has picked up slightly in recent weeks, as a six-game winless run was ended shortly before the end of 2023, and a win over Almeria to kick off the new year was their second in three games.
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Team News
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Veteran Bosnian midfielder Haris Medunjanin is set to come back into the Castellon side after being given a rest in their last league outing.
The former Deportivo La Coruna and Real Valladolid man has been in excellent form this season and will provide a strong goal threat from midfield, having already found the net eight times this season.
Brian Schwake is set to start in goal as Schreuder has utilised rotation in the cups, so the American should replace Gonzalo Crettaz here, while Oscar Gil was sent off in the win over Sanluqueno so will sit this game out with suspension.
With a game against Barcelona to come in midweek, Arrasate may be tempted to rotate slightly, while still picking a strong enough side to get the job done.
Ante Budimir is one of the players who may be protected, as the Croatian striker reached double figures for the season by scoring the only goal against Almeria in midweek.
Johan Mojica is the only injury absentee for the visitors, after the left-back picked up a knee problem in the draw with Real Sociedad last month.
Castellon possible starting lineup:
Schwake; Chirino, Granero, Vertrouwd; Javi Anton, Moyita, Iago Indias, Villahermosa, Traore; Suero, Gronning Andersen
Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Aitor Fernandez; Jesus Areno, Catena, David Garcia, Ruben Pena; Moncayola, Lucas Torro, Aimar Oroz; Ruben Garcia, Avila, Moi Gomez
We say: Castellon 0-1 Osasuna
The sides met in the first round back in 2004, with Osasuna coming out narrow 1-0 winners after extra time, and despite the gulf in positions on the pyramid, this could go in similar fashion.
Castellon are in superb form in the third tier, but the class of the La Liga outfit should shine through, and last year's finalists are likely to book their place in the fourth round.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Andrew Delaney
