Almeria vs Osasuna preview - Bertran remains upbeat

Osasuna defender Marc Bertran remains optimistic his side can pull off another great escape as they find themselves embroiled in the Primera Division relegation dogfight yet again.

Barring a couple of exceptions - most notably in 2006 when they finished fourth - Osasuna have spent much of their time since winning promotion to the top flight in 2000 simply looking to survive.

They have managed to do that for 13 successive season now, although they have had more than a few close shaves.

In the 2008/09 campaign they mounted a remarkable late run to save themselves from the drop, picking up seven points from their final three games against Sevilla, Barcelona and Real Madrid to finish one point above the relegation places.

They had also survived by a single point the previous season thanks to winning their penultimate match, while last term victories in their final two homes games helped the Pamplona outfit finish three points clear of the relegation zone.

And it looks set to be another fight to the death this season, with Osasuna second-bottom heading into Friday's vital clash at third-bottom Almeria.

The good news for Osasuna is they are within six points of the eight teams above them and, with seven games remaining, have time to dig themselves out of danger.

Bertran is hoping their previous experiences in these situations will help the team, saying: "We know we're at the stage of the season where we're playing for everything. The team is focused and taking responsibility for what we need to do.

"The team have already shown on other occasions that they know how to be in the tough times, and this time will be no exception."

Bertran is hoping Osasuna's recovery has already begun with last weekend's 1-1 draw at high-flying Real Sociedad - a result that ended a run of five successive defeats.

He added: "We're coming off a bad run, but we had a reaction the other day, something positive, and we have to build on that. We have to give it everything. The next two games are against direct rivals (they also play fourth-bottom Real Valladolid) and much rests on them."

Almeria looked to be getting out of trouble as they beat Sociedad and drew with Valencia, but Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Valladolid saw them slump back into the relegation zone.

With a trip to title-chasing Real Madrid to come next week, Almeria know they need to make the most of the visit of Osasuna.

Midfielder Verza said: "We have to show we want to stay in the Primera Division and beating Osasaun will be very important for that."

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