Osasuna vs Ath Bilbao prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2024-12-20 17:30.
[p]Whilst Osasuna head into this match on the back of a rather frustrating five-game winless run of league games, the outlook remains positive as they sit on the periphery of the European places after recording a stronger start than at this stage of seven of their last eight top-flight campaigns. Since losing 4-0 to Real Madrid, Osasuna have squandered leads in three of four consecutive league draws ahead of their final outing of the calendar year.[/p]
[p]Despite failing to win 40% of their league games in which they found themselves ahead this season (W6, D3, L1), Osasuna have lost just one of their last 11 home league games (W5, D5). They shouldn’t be discouraged by heading into this clash with Athletic Bilbao as outsiders, for they have taken points from an impressive 67% (W3, D3, L3) of La Liga matches as betting underdogs this term.[/p]
[p]Sitting pretty in the top-four over Christmas no matter what happens here, Athletic are actually two points worse off than at the same stage of last season when going on to finish in fifth. Athletic’s favourable position is down to a splendid run of form which sees them travel here following just one defeat across their last 14 league games (W8, D5, L1) including a nine-game unbeaten run heading into this match.[/p]
[p]Playing away from home hasn’t been as easy for Athletic of late, who arrive here with just one win across their previous five league trips (D3, L1), yet Ernesto Valverde’s side did avoid defeat from losing positions in two of the last three of those matches. Another reason for optimism is that Athletic are one of only four remaining sides to have gone unbeaten in all 13 of their league games as the betting favourites ahead of this round (W8, D5). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Osasuna’s Ante Budimir has accumulated five goals across his last five competitive appearances while three of his last five scoring appearances saw him net the match opener. For Athletic, Pamplona-born midfielder Oihan Sancet should relish the opportunity to return here as he has contributed directly to four goals across as many career away league H2Hs (G3, A1). [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Ernesto Valverde lost just four of his 25 personal managerial H2Hs against Athletic (W12, D9). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]