Girona vs Osasuna prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2022-10-22 16:30.
A second-half fightback wasn’t enough to save newly-promoted Girona from a 3-2 loss to AlmerĂa on Thursday, meaning they finished the round inside the relegation zone after picking up their joint-worst points total (eight) after ten matches from any campaign since 2011/12. The defeat also saw the Catalans extend their winless streak in La Liga (LL) to five (D1, L4) and with only two wins from five games at home this term (D1, L2), the pressure is ramped up ahead of Osasuna’s visit.
Girona can take some comfort from the one-goal margin of defeat in five of their six losses this LL campaign, meaning small improvements may bring positive results. That might see manager MĂchel opting to shuffle the pack here, although experienced defender Juanpe, who had untypically spent two games on the bench, was then ruled out of their trip to AlmerĂa so time will tell if he will be fit enough to help shore up a backline that has failed to keep a clean sheet this term.
After winning four of their first five LL opening matches (L1), Osasuna endured somewhat of a downturn in form, though they ended a four-game winless streak (D1, L3) with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Espanyol last time out, leaving them just two points off the LL European places as they target an appearance in a UEFA tournament for the first time since 2006/07.
That midweek win was the first time Osasuna found the opening goal in five league attempts and striking first seems to do the trick for them, as each of their last 16 LL wins have seen them net the opener. The visitors may be further boosted by the return of midfielder Rubén Peña after he served a two-match ban, and they’ll want all hands on deck if they’re to improve on a record of just three wins from eight H2H contests since 2004 (D2, L3).
Players to watch: Rodrigo Riquelme has three goals in his last four Girona appearances – each of those his side’s opener on the day. Up at the other end, Osasuna’s Ez Abde, who is on loan from Barcelona, might feel confident in Catalonia with the forward grabbing an assist against Espanyol as well as completing the most dribbles in that contest (three).
Hot streak: Osasuna have hit one goal or less in each of their last seven LL away trips.