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An interesting fixture is on the cards as Osasuna and Espanyol lock horns in the fifth round of La Liga at Estadio El Sadar on Saturday.
The hosts will look to return to winning ways after suffering their first defeat of the season last weekend.
Espanyol, on the other hand, are hoping to halt their winless run.
Read our Osasuna vs Espanyol prediction, preview and betting tips below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Osasuna vs Espanyol key stats
- Seven of Espanyol's last eight matches featured goals at both ends.
- At least three goals were scored in six of the visiting team's last seven outings.
- Osasuna have lost only twice in the last 11 H2Hs.
Osasuna vs Espanyol preview: Espanyol's struggles to continue?
Osasuna vs Espanyol — Tale of the Tape
| Osasuna | vs | Espanyol |
|---|---|---|
| 8th | Position | 12th |
| 7 | Points | 4 |
| 5 | Goals For | 6 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 2 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 12th | Home / Away Rank | 15th |
*These figures were accurate at the time of publishing.
Osasuna suffered a humiliating 5-2 defeat at Deportivo Alaves last weekend, their first of the campaign.
Prior to that loss, Luis Miguel Ramis' troops had won back-to-back games, and with seven points earned from a possible 12, they are eighth in La Liga at the time of writing
Interestingly, the hosts have scored five top-flight goals this season, and four of those have come from Ante Budimir. Remarkably, his three penalty goals are more than any other team in the league has managed, and the Croatian forward is expected to lead the line once again.
Osasuna will be without the injured Aimar Oroz (hamstring), Moi Gomez (muscle), and Jorge Herrando (muscle) this weekend.
On the other hand, Espanyol needed a stoppage-time goal to salvage a point at home against a short-handed Sevilla side last weekend.
The Catalan side kicked off their La Liga campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Levante but have failed to win three consecutive games since then (D1, L2).
On the positive side, head coach Manolo Gonzalez has no new injury concerns, as the visitors have no injured or suspended players ahead of this skirmish.
Although Espanyol won the last two clashes between these sides, they have managed just those two wins in the last 11 H2Hs (D4, L5).
Osasuna vs Espanyol form guide & betting tips
| Osasuna | vs | Espanyol |
|---|---|---|
D
W
W
L
|
La Liga Form |
W
L
L
D
|
| 7 | Points | 4 |
| 8th | Form Table | 12th |
| 5 | Goals For | 6 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 5 |
D
D
W
W
L
|
Form (All Comps) |
L
W
L
L
D
|
Whispers Predicts: Osasuna 2-1 Espanyol
At 5/4 (2.25), Osasuna are considered favourites by the bookies ahead of this clash.
The hosts won two of their last three matches, and considering their 3-1-1 win-draw-loss record in the last five H2Hs at this stadium, we are confident that Osasuna will claim all the spoils here.
Six of Espanyol's last seven fixtures went north of the 2.5-goal marker, and this is priced at 6/5 (2.20).
We also fancy BTTS – Yes at 19/20 (1.95), as was the case in seven of the visiting team's last eight outings.
> Over 2.5 total goals at 6/5 (2.20) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 19/20 (1.95) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result: Osasuna at 5/4 (2.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Osasuna & BTTS – Yes at 39/10 (4.90) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct Score: 2-1 at 17/2 (9.50) | Likelihood: Outsider