Osasuna vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-03-18 15:15.
Osasuna would love some midweek European action, just like opponents Villarreal âenjoyedâ on a busy on Thursday, but based on their recent form they may have to continue dreaming for at least one more season after falling four points away from the top six with a 1-0 loss against lowly Valencia. They finished the 25th La Liga (LL) round with fewer wins from their last eight matches (W1, D4, L3) than any other side – even basement boys Elche!
Manager Jagoba Arrasate has turned from hero to villain-in-making recently. A couple of tremendous runs prior to the World Cup now feel a distant memory as he conceded his teamâs most recent encounter was a real âweakâ showing. They canât afford a repeat here if they want to revive their European hopes, but it could be an uphill battle as they already hold a winless record (D1, L6) against teams who ended this previous round inside the top six.
While the sixth-placed visitors are still keeping that company, they have had a week to forget, failing to gain ground on fifth-placed Real Betis with a 1-1 draw last weekend before their shock elimination from the UEFA Europa Conference League last 16, despite being one of the favourites to win the title before kickoff. Their grip on the European spots is now really loosening after failing to win five of their last seven league fixtures (D1, L4).
With games against Real Sociedad (home) and Real Madrid (away) following this one, Quique SetiĂ©n needs to solve his teamâs issues quickly lest they drop out of the top six or even below Osasuna over the course of the next few weeks. Villarreal must sharpen up their woeful LL travelling record as favourites (W3, D3, L3), which has not been helped by subdued starts that has seen them fail to lead at half-time in any of their last eight league outings.
Players to watch: In the absence of suspended midfielder Aimar Oroz, Chimy Ăvila stands as Osasunaâs only player to score in multiple (three) LL home games this season. On a similar note, four of JosĂ© Luis Moralesâ last five competitive goals for Villarreal were away from home.
Hot stat: All but one of Osasunaâs last 11 LL matches produced fewer than 2.5 total goals.