In a clash that could tip the balance of momentum in Group 15 of the Tercera División RFEF, Huarte welcomes Txantrea to the Estadio Areta on January 17, 2026. With both teams teetering on the edge-Huarte desperately fighting to claw out of the lower tier and Txantrea looking to solidify their position near the top-the stakes couldn't be higher. Huarte sits 11th with 20 points, while Txantrea, holding down a precarious 7th place with 27 points, is feeling pressure from both above and below.
Let's break down what's going on here: Huarte's recent form-marked by two wins against nine losses across their last eleven games-reveals a side searching for consistency but failing to find it. They snagged an impressive 3-1 win at Cirbonero but promptly fell back into familiar patterns with losses against San Juan and Pamplona. This rollercoaster performance speaks volumes about their confidence-or lack thereof-as they approach this crucial fixture. You can bet players like their top goal scorer will feel every bit of that weight when they lace up their boots.
On the flip side, Txantrea is no stranger to ups and downs themselves. While they started strong with a respectable record, back-to-back defeats-including a disheartening loss to Cortes-showed cracks in their armor. Their attacking line has been explosive at times, evidenced by their thrilling 4-2 victory over Oberena just last week. However, those vulnerabilities at the back could easily be exploited if they aren't sharp against Huarte.
Statistically speaking, one has to look closely at possession percentages and shot metrics leading into this encounter. Huarte has struggled to maintain control in recent matches, averaging only around 47% possession over the last five games; that's not good enough when you're trying to build momentum. Comparatively, Txantrea is better off at about 54%, but both sides have exhibited a tendency for defensive errors-especially Txantrea who conceded two goals against Cortes and four against Izarra in recent outings.
This clash won't just boil down to numbers on paper; it's all about individual battles and key performances. Keep an eye on José María Aranburu for Huarte-a player who has had glimpses of brilliance amid his team's struggles, especially after netting twice against Cirbonero. His ability to unlock defenses will be pivotal if Huarte wants any chance of pulling off an upset or even securing vital points.
For Txantrea, Aritz Olabarrieta should not go unnoticed either. As someone who contributed significantly with goals during critical junctures of matches recently-including being directly involved in multiple goals last week-it's clear he holds the keys for his team's success going forward. His presence alone puts opposing defenders under pressure.
What we might witness is tactical adjustments that could determine the course of this match; expect Huarte to adopt a more aggressive high press given their home advantage while hoping that solidity can stem from quick counter-attacks led by Aranburu. Meanwhile, Txantrea will likely aim for direct play using width from the flanks while trying to exploit space left by any adventurous movements from Huarte's full-backs.
Based on everything discussed here-the contrasting trajectories of both squads combined with individual player impacts-I anticipate this will not end well for Huarte despite being at home. If Txantrea can shake off that dip in form shown in earlier fixtures and rediscover that scoring touch as witnessed against Oberena recently, they're poised not just for three points but perhaps even a definitive statement victory that re-establishes their credibility in the upper half of the table.
Final Prediction: Txantrea comes away victorious with a scoreline of 2-0, emphasizing their superior position while dealing another blow to Huarte's hopes of escaping the relegation battle as they struggle under mounting pressure.