Osasuna vs Celta Vigo preview - Bertan eyes turning point

Osasuna defender Marc Bertran believes their next two fixtures at home to Celta Vigo and away at Real Mallorca could prove to be a turning point in their season.

Los Rojillos currently lie in the bottom three but will be assured of finishing the weekend outside the drop zone should they manage to beat the Galicians and the defender is hoping they can improve on their home form for the remainder of the campaign having won just three of their 11 league games in Pamplona to date.

He told the club's website: "The Reyno de Navarra will be decisive in the second half of the season. We need to let very few points escape, but also we need to know that all points count the same and therefore we need to put all five senses into every one of the games to take points wherever it is.

"We are facing the clash with the same importance and responsibility as the rest. Taking these three points would help boost our confidence and our self-esteem. The next two games are very important because we are facing direct rivals where, if you win, you also stop them from gaining points.

"I don't know if they will mark a change in the competition, but for sure they are very important."

Coach Jose Luis Mendilibar will be able to welcome back Damia and Emiliano Armenteros from suspension and injury respectively, while Nino and Kike Sola are expected to return after being left on the bench for the 5-1 defeat to Barcelona last weekend.

Aleandro Arribas is suspended after being sent off in that game.

Celta will be without two of their major threats in Michael Krohn-Dehli and Augusto Fernandez through suspension, but Iago Aspas will start after overcoming the back injury that forced him off at half-time during their 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad last time out.

Andres Tunez could return in defence after three weeks out with a thigh injury and the 25-year-old is delighted just to back in contention.

He told Marca: "I am happy because finally they have given me the all clear to return. I am desperate to be named in the squad and if I play then even better. The recuperation has been positive and although I have trained away from the group, I think I am in the condition to play the 90 minutes.

"To beat Osasuna in their stadium is very difficult because they know how to exploit their football very well. It is a game for men. To take something positive from Pamplona we are going to need to run a lot during the 90 minutes."