Osasuna vs Mallorca prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-08-23 15:00.
[p]With both sides coming into this game off the back of opening weekend 1-1 La Liga draws, Osasuna host Mallorca with the home fans likely desperate to see their team triumph at El Sadar stadium. That’s something Vicente Moreno’s side have failed to do in their last six La Liga home matches (L3, D3), their worst run since January 2021, with their last three such fixtures ending in 1-1 stalemates – including a draw against Mallorca! [/p]
[p]Although Moreno will know their opening day draw against Leganés didn’t represent a bad result by any means, he might have larger concerns with his side’s struggles in front of goal. Osasuna have been firing blanks consistently, having netted just eight times across their last nine home games, which would hint they may struggle to build on their poor recent record of just two wins from the last 16 league H2Hs (D9, L5). [/p]
[p]That’s a fact exacerbated when you consider that the visitors spoiled Kylian Mbappé’s Real Madrid arrival party by holding a team full of star attackers to a 1-1 draw last time out. This promises to be a different game away from their coastal home though, with only the three relegated clubs picking up fewer than Mallorca’s 14 away points last season (W2, D8, L9).[/p]
[p]It wasn’t all doom and gloom last term, as only La Liga’s top six conceded fewer goals than their 44 – defensive form they’ll hope to replicate as they look to break back into La Liga’s top half. Boss Jagoba Arrasate will know that they’ll need to translate that solidity into more away league wins, but a victory here is far from guaranteed for a side who have won just one of the last ten away H2Hs (D5, L4).  [/p]
[p]Players to watch: If Osasuna are to put an end to their goal scoring woes, expect some action from Ante Budimir, who has seven goals in his last 11 La Liga appearances. He’ll be in direct competition with Mallorca front-man Vedat Muriqi, who last time out made it goals in successive league games for the first time since September 2023![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Osasuna were second (14) and Mallorca first (15) for set-piece goals in La Liga last season! [/p]
[p][i]Written by Luke Bridle[/i][/p]