Match Preview and Betting Tips
Playing poorly, bottom of the table and without a win in their first six Spanish Primera Division games, Osasuna would seem to be on course for an immediate return to the Segunda Division unless matters improve and quickly. This Saturday evening, Osasuna will once again go in search of that crucial first win of the La Liga season but could once again come up short. Despite home advantage at the Estadio El Sadar, Osasuna are the underdogs at 9/5 to beat mid-table Las Palmas and a draw looks a better betting proposition than a home win. At odds of 11/5, backing a drawn game looks to be the sensible bet although Las Palmas are well capable of adding to Osasuna’s woes and an away win at 11/8 cannot be discounted.
After two seasons down in Spain’s second tier, Osasuna are back in the big time but hardly with a bang. Two points from two draws in the first six fixtures sees the club propping up the La Liga table and with no immediate signs of improvement. While last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at fourth-placed Villarreal is understandable, Osasuna also lost their previous league game when going down 2-1 at home to third from bottom Espanyol. Now up against top seven side Las Palmas, Osasuna’s chances of avoiding a defeat look slim and, unless the home side can hold out for a scoreless draw, a third home defeat of the season has a look if inevitability about it as the team are struggling for goals. With just five goals in the plus column and thirteen conceded, none of the team can be selected with any confidence to score this weekend and a blank sheet for Osasuna looks a fairly solid bet.
Las Palmas currently occupy seventh place in the table and a victory this weekend could possibly see the club move into the top three. That victory is well within Las Palmas’ ability although recent results haven’t been great with two defeats and a draw in the last four league games. That said, Las Palmas’ record this season is still far better than that of Osasuna and a draw on Saturday is the least expected. Although Tana has only played four games for the club this season, the striker is in great form with three goals in those matches and has to go down on the docket as the most likely goalscorer for Las Palmas.
Osasuna have done nothing this season to suggest they can win this Saturday’s match. An away win for Las Palmas would be no less than is expected but home advantage will give the promoted side a slight edge and they might manage to add a much-needed point to their miserable tally in a scoreless draw.
Head To Head
The only recent meetings were in the 2014-15 Segunda Division. Both games ended in 2-1 away wins.
Stats
Las Palmas' last 5 away league games average 4.8 goals per game. Osasuna have conceded twice or more in 4 of their last 5 matches.
Team News
Mario Fernandez is injured so Nauzet should start in goal. Sergio Leon is expected to fill the lone striking role.
Sergio Araujo has reportedly been arrested for drink-driving so may be left out. Jonathan Viera is carrying a slight niggle but should start on the left of a 4-3-3 formation but central defender Pedro Bigas is still out.
