Alaves vs Osasuna

Alaves welcome Osasuna in La Liga’s Regular Season round four on 6 September 2026, with both clubs aiming to protect unbeaten starts to the campaign. The fixture, held at Alaves' home ground, pits two early-season pacesetters against each other in a contest that could shape the upper mid-table picture.

Team News and Injury Latest

Quique Flores must reshuffle his Alaves side as midfielder Tomas Mendes serves a suspension. The hosts are boosted, however, by the form of striker Mariano Diaz, who has scored twice from the bench across the opening matches and is pushing hard for a place in the starting eleven. No further fitness concerns have been reported from the Alaves camp.

Osasuna, meanwhile, have not flagged any fresh injury worries ahead of the trip. Head coach Jagoba Arrasate is expected to stick with the core that delivered a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo and a goalless draw against Levante, giving his side four points from the first two rounds.

Form Guide

Alaves have been one of the quiet success stories of the early season. A 3-0 home demolition of Getafe and a 1-1 draw away to Rayo Vallecano leave them with four points and a plus-three goal difference. Their blend of organised defending and quick transitions has caused problems for every opponent so far.

Osasuna’s start is nearly identical: four points, a goal difference of plus-one. They followed a 1-1 stalemate with Levante by edging Celta Vigo 2-1 on the road, showing resilience in tight matches. Only two goals conceded in 180 minutes underscores their defensive discipline.

Key Battle: Mariano Diaz Against Osasuna's Back Line

Mariano Diaz will be the focal point of Alaves' attack if Flores hands him a starting role. His two substitute goals demonstrate a clinical streak that Osasuna's centre-backs must contain. For the visitors, the defensive pairing that blanked Levante will need to be equally organised to keep the powerful striker quiet and avoid giving away set-pieces in dangerous areas.

The match could be decided in midfield, where Mendes' absence may leave Alaves slightly lighter in the centre. Osasuna will look to exploit any gaps with their hard-running central trio, who have shown an ability to break up play and launch counter-attacks quickly.

Both teams see this as an opportunity to consolidate a top-half place before the international break. A win for either would send out a statement that their early season form is no fluke.