Osasuna vs Real Madrid prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-02-17 20:00.
Osasuna have faltered in La Liga (LL) lately following a bright start to 2023 (D3, L1), a run they’ll need to promptly snap out of if they’re to maintain hopes of qualifying for Europe for the first time since 2005/06. Their progress to the Copa del Rey semi-finals shows they can still raise their game for the big occasion though, and there are few more imposing than the visit of Real Madrid.
That said, they haven’t beaten the reigning LL champions – and potential cup final opponents – here since January 2011 (D3, L5), conceding at least twice in five of the last six home H2Hs. Ending that hoodoo seems unlikely as at home in LL this term they’ve only lost to sides currently in the top four or bottom three and are yet to draw (W6, L4), making them clear outsiders.
Madrid cruised to a 4-0 midweek win over Elche as Karim Benzema overtook Raúl to become their second highest LL scorer, taking his tally to 230 goals with a brace of penalties. He’s still well behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s 311 but if he can keep scoring, it’ll help Madrid rack up the points and perhaps close the eight-point gap to fierce rivals and league leaders Barcelona.
Los Blancos have alternated between wins and defeats in away league action recently (W3, L3) and their last such game against Mallorca saw them fail to score on the road for the first time in LL this term as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat. But having just netted nine times in two fixtures in Morocco to win the Club World Cup and following that up with four goals in midweek, drawing another blank seems unlikely.
Players to watch: Ante Budimir netted the second goal in last season’s corresponding fixture for Osasuna but each of his three subsequent strikes have been openers between the 40th and 70th minute. After netting against Elche, Budimir’s Croatian compatriot Luka Modrić has seen his last eight goalscoring appearances for Madrid feature over 2.5 goals.
Hot stat: Madrid have lost just one of their last 28 LL games played on a Saturday (W24, D3).