S. D. Huesca vs Osasuna Copa del Rey showdown tonight, both reeling teams battle redemption at El Alcoraz and here’s the prediction nobody expected

SD Huesca hosts Osasuna tonight at Estadio El Alcoraz in a Copa del Rey Round of 32 showdown on December 17. Both struggling teams battle for redemption in this crucial cup tie.

Both Teams Hungry for Redemption in Copa del Rey Clash

Huesca enters Wednesday’s encounter seeking to avoid another early domestic cup exit. The second-division outfit has lost in the Round of 32 for two consecutive seasons at home to top-flight opposition. Last year, Real Betis eliminated them 1-0, while Rayo Vallecano won in extra time the year before.

However, momentum is building for Bolo’s men. They’ve defeated fourth-division Utebo 3-0 and Racing de Ferrol 2-0 to reach this stage. After a damaging 4-1 league loss to Real Valladolid, they bounced back with an impressive 2-0 victory at Cultural Leonesa last Friday, securing a third win in their last five matches.

Osasuna suffered a setback this weekend when Barcelona defeated them 2-0 at Camp Nou, with Raphinha scoring twice in the 70th and 86th minutes. The loss ended a modest three-game unbeaten run but represents their first defeat in four straight competitions.

Huesca’s Home Advantage Against Struggling Visitors

Playing at Estadio El Alcoraz offers Huesca a significant advantage. They’ve won 4 of 9 home matches this season, with only two losses, though one came in their last appearance at the ground. The crowd atmosphere should provide crucial support against higher-tier opposition.

Osasuna represent a tougher test than lower-league sides, but their away form is concerning. They’ve managed just 2 victories in 11 competitive away matches this season, both arriving in the Copa del Rey against lower-division opponents. Seven of their other away outings ended in defeats—a troubling statistic heading into this tie.

Despite this, Osasuna bring La Liga pedigree and recent cup experience. They demolished Sant Jordi 5-0 away and thrilled viewers with a 5-3 triumph at Ebro, scoring 10 goals in this season’s Copa del Rey before facing Huesca.

Key Player Storylines and Team Selection

Factor	Huesca	Osasuna
League Position	15th Segunda División	16th La Liga
Recent Form	3 wins in 5 games	2 wins in 6 games
Cup Performance	Won 5-0 combined	Scored 10 goals
Key Threat	Enol Rodríguez (striker)	Raúl García (5 goals)

For Huesca, Enol Rodríguez leads the attack after scoring in their last league match. Manager Bolo plans to deploy a 4-4-2 formation with familiar faces from the weekend. However, Huesca will be without injured trio Jordi Martín, Javi Mier, and Diego Aznar due to serious knee injuries that extend their absence.

Osasuna will likely rest first-choice goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, with Aitor Fernández expected between the sticks in cup duties. Raúl García, who has scored 5 of Osasuna’s 10 Copa goals, should feature prominently. Veteran striker Ante Budimir may make way with García and other attacking options preferred.

Historical Head-to-Head Context and Prediction

These neighbors have a closely contested history spanning multiple meetings. Records show mixed results between the sides, with Osasuna holding a slight edge in competitive matchups. Remarkably, this marks their first-ever confrontation in the Copa del Rey, though they faced each other in La Liga during the 2020-21 season, both ending in draws.

Expert predictions lean toward Osasuna’s superior pedigree despite their poor away record. Sports Mole predicts Huesca 1-2 Osasuna, citing the visitors’ top-flight experience. However, Pro Soccer Wire forecasts Huesca 2-1, highlighting the home side’s recent momentum and momentum.

What’s at Stake: Why This Match Matters for Both Sides?

Both clubs desperately need progress to lift spirits and justify their survival ambitions. Huesca seeks to break the curse of two consecutive Round of 32 eliminations at home. A win would prove they can compete with top-flight talent and provide psychological boost during their Segunda División survival fight.

Osasuna need a strong cup run to distract from their La Liga relegation battle. Deep tournament runs provide fixture congestion but also confidence and potential revenue. Elimination here would intensify pressure as they battle relegation in the top flight.

The Round of 16 awaits the winner, offering a realistic path toward the quarterfinals for either side. For Huesca, it represents an upset; for Osasuna, it’s an expected progression. Tonight’s outcome will reveal whether Huesca’s momentum overwhelms Osasuna’s experience.

Sources

• Pro Soccer Wire (USA Today) – Match preview, predictions, and betting odds
• Sports Mole – Comprehensive team news, lineups, and analytical prediction
• ESPN+ – Official match broadcasting information