Osasuna vs Espanyol
Spanish La Liga.
Date: Thursday, 23 September, 2016
Kick-off: 01:00 GMT+7
Venue: Estadio El Sadar, Pamplona.
Osasuna, returnee in La Liga are still after four rounds without victory and with only two points in their stack they are on eighteenth place at the table. Before the season started, they were announcing the fight for top ten, which was substantiated with their performances during the pre-season. However right from the beginning of the season, a draw and two consecutive defeats and eight conceded goals, it was obvious that the team, even though with lots of potential, are not working as it should. Lack of team play reflects out on the field and the good results are missing.
On the other side, with the same outcome, two points in their stack, Espanyol enters this match after 2-0 defeat against Real Madrid. They are desperate to win and boost their confidence. Last season they finished at the middle of the table and their expectations for this season are much higher. However with this play it will hardly be done. Espanyol failed to win in their last seven away matches and conceded at least two goals in five of their last six league matches in total. When it comes to their mutual encounters, two teams played 1-1 draw in their last match back in 2014 and overall Osasuna won and kept a clean sheet five of their last six home matches against Espanyol in all competitions.
Missing players
Osasuna have few missing players for the match against Espanyol. Javier Flaño and Didier Digard are injured and they will not play for sure. Miguel Flaño and Fausto are not fully fit and they are doubtful for the match. All other players are fully fit and ready for the match.
On the other side Espanyol also do not have many missing players for the match. Pablo Piatti is injured and he will not play for sure. All other players are ready to play and they are highly motivated for the match.
Possible starting lineups
Osasuna: Fernandez; Garcia, Flano, Garcia;
Clerc, Merida, Oier, Cuevas, Bunuel; Riera, Riviere
Espanyol: Lopez; Lopez, Duarte, Sanchez, Lopez; Perez, Fuego, Roca, Vazguez; Moreno, Baptistao
Key Facts
Osasuna has won 2 of their last 5 home league games.
Espanyol has won 1 of their last 5 league games.
The white and blue have also failed to win in their last 6 away league games of the season.
Osasuna: Predicted Line-Up (5-3-2)
Fernandez: Redrado, Oier, Garcia, Garcia, Clerc: Las Cuevas, Garcia, Merida: Riviere, Riera.
Espanyol: Predicted Line-Up (4-4-2)
Lopez: Lopez, Lopez, Duarte, Sanchez: Jurado, Fuego, Junque, Perez: Moreno, Baptistao.
Osasuna vs Espanyol: Head to Head
It’s always been evenly poised every time these sides met. However, Osasuna enjoyed a 2-1 aggregate win over Espanyol in their tow legged meetings last season.
In the last 10 meetings between these two sides, Osasuna gathered 6 wins compared to Espanyol 3 wins. While Espanyol have recorded 3 wins in their last 10 visit to Espanyol.
Osasuna vs Espanyol: Prediction
Both teams are equal in strength, performance and they would cancel out each other in every department on the field of play. This makes the clash a very difficult one to predict.
Therefore, I will predict an 80% chance of the clash ending in a draw with huge possibility of both sides getting a goal.
We expect one very tough football match and real football fight for points. Osasuna like to play strong football in defense line and it will be their main objective for the match. On the other side Espanyol like to play offensive football and they will try to score from the first minute. Both teams have to play very cautious if want to win points here.
However our prediction and betting tips for match Osasuna vs Espanyol Prediction: Draw. We dont expect lots of scoring chances on this match and maybe correct score will be 1:1. Have a nice betting day and good luck in earning money with our football prediction and betting tips.
