Osasuna's Cesar Azpilicueta feels his side need to be more ruthless in attack as they seek to move away from relegation.

Osasuna are no strangers to dogfights at the bottom of the table, having finished just a point above the drop zone in the last two seasons, but they looked set for a much more comfortable time of it this campaign after sitting safely in mid-table following a recent four-match winning streak.

However, since that run the Pamplona-based side have picked up just two points from a possible 15 and have dropped to 13th place, eight points above 18th-placed Tenerife.

During that winless sequence, Osasuna have only managed to find the back of the net three times, firing blanks against Sevilla, Getafe and Atletico Madrid in the process, and Azpilicueta believes that is something that needs changing.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's visit of Racing Santander, Azpilicueta said: "After four successive wins, we've entered a bad run. The game against Racing is very important, more so when we are playing at home. It's time to get back on track.

"If we compare this bad run with the situations we've been through in other seasons, we can see that there's no reason to ring the alarm bells.

"We are playing well, but in attack we have to be more aggressive. We are creating chances easily, but we aren't finishing them off."

Osasuna will not be helped in that respect by the absence of both their first-choice strikers tomorrow, with Walter Pandiani and Carlos Aranda injured.

That has left coach Jose Antonio Camacho with just two forwards for the game in Dady and youngster Jorge Galan.

The good news for Osasuna, though, is that their opponents Racing are in even worse form.

They have taken just four points from a possible 21, and have netted just one goal in that time - during a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid almost seven weeks ago.

Azpilicueta added: "Both teams are on a bit of a downward trajectory. The important thing is not to gift them anything."

Racing are in 16th place on 27 points, four behind Osasuna and four above the relegation zone.

The Cantabrian side have enjoyed their trips to Osasuna in recent years however, winning each on each of their last four visits to the Reyno de Navarra including a 3-0 win there in the Copa del Rey in January.

Coach Miguel Angel Portugal is hoping for a similar story tomorrow, but admits their recent cup victory will have little bearing on this league encounter.

"I hope we continue our good results in our visits to Osasuna's ground. The squad looks very motivated, aware of the situation we're in and determined to get the three points," he said.

"The league and cup are completely different competitions, so Sunday's game will not be much like the cup clash.

"As well as that, after their elimination from the cup they've picked up very good results."

Portugal will be without Marc Torrejon, Edu Bedia and Tono but has Mohammed Tchite, Pape Diop and Mehdi Lacen available.