Osasuna vs Real Betis preview - History beckons for Punal

Posted Sunday, December 04, 2011 by PA

Osasuna midfielder Patxi Punal will break the club's all-time record for appearances in the Primera Division when he takes to the field for the 351st time in league competition against Real Betis on Sunday.

Punal thanked the Osasuna fans for their support and also recognised he has been extremely lucky with injuries throughout his 15-year playing career.

The 36-year-old told the club's website: "When you have a career of so many years and valuable statistics it is because things have gone well.

"It is not easy to achieve these numbers and even less so with this little body - it isn't pretty but it works.

"Joking aside, in this sense I have been very privileged and my body has held up well. I feel fantastically well treated here and I am extremely grateful."

Osasuna are unbeaten at home so far this season and will be confident of extending that run against a Betis side who have not won in nine games.

Jose Luis Mendilibar should be able to recall defenders Jukka Raitala, Sergio Fernandez and Marc Bertran, however Eneko Satrustegui is again suspended after being sent off for the second time in only his second game at senior level.

Betis' terrible run of form has seen manager Pepe Mel come under increasing pressure and Mel does not believe he will continue as boss should they lose in Pamplona.

He told the Betis website: "There are things in life that you cannot forget and this is the reality, of the last 27 points we have taken one.

"It is obvious that Betis will look for other solutions if this continues, the players know it too, and that is why I have asked them to turn their words of support into something tangible on the pitch.

"Could I continue if we lose? I don't believe so. If we lose and have taken one point in 10 games then the confidence has its limits."

Mel will not be able to call on captain Iriney after he picked up his fifth booking of the season in last weekend's 3-2 defeat to Real Sociedad.

Jonathan Pereira came off the bench in that game to score Betis' first two goals in six games and could be rewarded with a start alongside Roque Santa Cruz in attack.