Osasuna vs Villarreal prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-11-23 13:00.
[p]After he took a leave of absence to help his homeland of Massanassa recover from devastating floods, Osasuna head coach Vicente Moreno may have had a more humble perspective of his teamâs 4-0 loss to Real Madrid at the BernabĂ©u. Watching on from the stands whilst serving his league suspension, Moreno saw his side lose as an underdog for just the third time this season (W3, D2) and subsequently fall away from the top four. [/p]
[p]Boasting a near-perfect La Liga home record this term (W5, D1, L1) that includes a 4-2 triumph over league leaders Barcelona, they shouldnât be fearing the visit of a high-flying Villarreal side. Moreno could be forgiven for having reservations after failing to win his last four personal meetings with Villarreal in charge of other clubs (D1, L3), but his current crop of players have been strong at gaining an advantage at home and converting it into three points, winning all five La Liga home games when opening the scoring this term. [/p]
[p]Villarreal are looking to win three consecutive La Liga games for the first time this season, after failing at the two previous attempts, and the November international break was untimely in more ways than one, particularly with their next four league fixtures against clubs who all have legitimate claims for a top-six finish. The majority of their six players called up for national team duty reportedly returned with physical issues, including regular starters Ălex Baena, Thierno Barry, Ayoze PĂ©rez and NicolĂĄs PĂ©pĂ©. [/p]
[p]They now have an extensive injury list that already included Eric Bailly and Gerard Moreno that threatens to neutralise all the outstanding work the squad has done to put together their best start to a La Liga campaign in more than a decade, and one that has seen them take 23 of a possible 27 points from opponents starting this round outside the top four. That includes four away victories all by a 2-1 margin, opening the door for Osasuna to return to the scoresheet. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Penalty taker Ante Budimir opened the scoring in three separate La Liga home games for Osasuna this season as well as in this corresponding matchup in 2023/24. Villarrealâs stack of injuries may mean a greater attacking responsibility for midfielder Dani Parejo, who last round registered his second goal of this league term. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: 83% of Villarrealâs matches this league season saw both teams score. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]