Eibar vs Osasuna
Spanish La Liga.
Date: Monday, 17th October 2016
Kick-off at 19:45 UK.
Venue: Estadio Municipal de Ipurua, Eibar.
This is one of two Basque derbies this weekend with Athletic also taking on Real Sociedad. It may not quite be as intense as that fixture but it’s still an important game for both clubs, whose priorities this term are to stay in the division. Eibar are into their 3rd season in La Liga now and, as has been the case in the previous two, they have made an impressive start. They have 11 points to their name already and will feel another win here will leave them a third of the way to safety.
They are unbeaten in 6 home league games now and picked up an excellent 1-1 draw at Real Madrid in their last match. Their fortnight break has been far from uneventful though, with two of their players caught up in a sex tape scandal. Sergi Enrich and former Aston Villa full-back Antonio Luna look set to be dropped for this game as a result.
Even so they will be confident they’ll have enough to get the job done against Osasuna. The newly promoted side are yet to win on their return to La Liga and have just 3 points to their name. They looked to be heading for a first maximum points of the new campaign last time out with a 2-0 lead at home to Las Palmas but conceded twice in the 2nd Half and had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Away from home Osasuna have been well beaten at Real Madrid and Villarreal, which wasn’t a huge surprise in truth but they will need to start improving soon if they are going to be in with a chance of staying in the division. Eibar are better than they often get credit for and that draw at the Bernabeu only served to highlight that. They are quite strong at home and usually see off the weaker teams so backing Eibar to Win at 3/4 looks to offer value here.
Key Facts
Eibar is currently unbeaten in 2 straight league games. In addition, the gunners have won 2 of their 3 games played at home this season.
Osasuna is currently on 7 league games winless run. In addition, the reds have lost 2 of their 3 away games this season.
Both sides will be meeting in a competitive game for the first time in 14 years. Eibar and Osasuna shared win in their two legged encounter during 1999/2000 Segunda deason.
Eibar: Predicted Line-Up (4-3-3)
Riesgo: Luna, Lejeune, Ivan, Capa: Garcia, Escalante, Rico: Kike, Enrich, Leon.
Osasuna: Predicted Line-Up (5-3-2)
Perez: Oier, Garcia, Miguel, Zubiria, Fuentes: Cuevas, Fausto, Torres: Leon, Berenguer.
Eibar vs Osasuna: Head-to-Head Stats
This will be the first meeting between Eibar and Osasuna since they last met in the Copa Del Rey edition of the 2002/03 season. Osasuna have won the tie on that occasion only by a lone goal in the extra-time.
In four Seguna Division meeting prior to that the teams share 2 wins each, all coming in respective home grounds.
They recently met in a friendly in August 2016, in which Eibar won by a lone goal.
Eibar vs Osasuna: Prediction
Eibar possesses better form going into this game as compared against Osasuna. Their home form is something to consider in determining where the pendulum swings at the final whistle on Monday. With a three match unbeaten run at home, Eibar can be backed for a straight win when coming against an Osasuna side who are yet to win a game in La Liga this season.
Eibar vs Osasuna: Betting Tips
Eibar to win at 1.80 (4/5)
