Prediction: Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao
Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 4/11
Desperate to secure back-to-back La Liga victories on Thursday night, Athletic Bilbao will travel to El Sadar when they meet Osasuna.
Osasuna
Starting with the hosts, while Osasuna might have claimed an action-packed 3-1 victory against Almeria earlier in the month, Los Rojillos came crashing back down to earth last weekend. Eventually getting hit with a routine 3-0 drumming away at Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, Jagoba Arrasate’s side are enduring a rather public wobble. While the Navarre-based outfit might still find themselves dreaming of the chance to claim a top-half finish, the Reds have now lost four of their last five meeting against La Liga opposition. However, despite suffering Copa del Rey final heartbreak at the hands of Real Madrid on May 6th, Osasuna are enjoying an eye-catching flurry on home soil. Last seen in front of their own supporters claiming that 3-1 win against Almeria, it is worth highlighting that Arrasate has seen his side muster nine points from their previous four La Liga appearances at El Sadar.
Team News
Picking up a knee injury last month and now missing each of Osasuna’s last eight appearances, Arrasate’s side will once again be unable to call upon midfielder Darko Brasanac here. One-time Valencia star Nacho Vidal is also still dealing with a muscle issue and is a major doubt on Thursday night.
While leading marksman Chimy Avila might have failed to muster a single strike since the end of January, the 29-year-old should once again join Ante Budimir in the final third.
Athletic Bilbao
As for the visitors, managing to make what was a crucial return to winning ways last weekend, Athletic Bilbao are now desperate to try and find some much-needed stability. Eventually snatching a 2-1 victory at home against Celta Vigo, the Lions draw a line under their downbeat four-match winless run. Still leading the chase to book a lucrative European return in 2023, Ernesto Valverde’s men will know the importance of Thursday’s trip to El Sadar. However, despite being last seen on their travels putting in a nightmare display as they slumped to an infamous 5-1 drumming at the hands of Villarreal, Bilbao had largely impressed many across Spain thanks to their success on the road this season. Including a 3-1 romp away at Valladolid when heading into March’s international break, the midweek guests have lost just one of their last six La Liga appearances away from San Mames.
Team News
Still recovering from a broken collarbone that he sustained back in February, 24-year-old Jon Morcillo will once again miss out on Thursday night. Picking up a knock earlier in the month, Bilbao are hopeful that defender Yeray Alvarez will be able to make a full return here.
Once again finding the net last weekend and now notching six domestic strikes since returning from March’s international break, attacking talisman Inaki Williams will spearhead Valverde’s attack.
Key Factors to Consider
When the two sides last met earlier in the year for their Copa del Rey semi-final showdowns, Osasuna claimed a shock 2-1 aggregate victory.
In fact, Los Rojillos have lost just a pair of their last eight meetings against Athletic Bilbao across all competitions.
Claiming a crucial 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo last weekend, that result drew a line under Bilbao’s four-match winless run.
Osasuna have collected nine points from just their last four La Liga appearances at El Sadar.
Each of Bilbao’s last five La Liga showdowns on the road have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Making what was a crucial return to winning ways last weekend as they snatched a 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo, Athletic Bilbao will know the importance of Thursday’s trip to El Sadar. Drawing a line under their four-match winless run, the Lions will be hoping to cash in on an Osasuna squad that have lost four of their last five meetings against La Liga opposition. However, while the midweek hosts might have suffered Copa del Rey heartbreak at the hands of Real Madrid on May 6th, Los Rojillos have continued to shine with their performances on home soil. Mustering nine points from just their previous four top-flight showdowns in front of their own supporters, Osasuna will be looking to spring an upset here. With six of the last eight meetings between Thursday’s opponents at El Sadar finishing with over 1.5 goals, we are backing a similar outcome in Navarre.
Verdict: Over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 4/11
