Elche vs Osasuna prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-01-21 15:15.
There are few words left to describe Elche’s 2022/23 season thus far, with unwanted records tumbling all around them after their 1-1 draw against Cádiz left them winless in La Liga (LL) after 17 matches (D5, L12). That game did feature manager Pablo MachĂn’s first point won and first goal scored in the league action since taking over in November, an immaterial consolation with his team already seemingly destined for relegation due to their possession of the competition’s worst attack and defence!
Should the Franjiverdes fail to break their duck when they welcome Osasuna to the Estadio Manuel MartĂnez Valero, then they’ll become only the fourth team to start a top-flight campaign winless through their first 18 matches, with all previously suffering relegation. The likelihood of that occurring seems high, not only due to Elche’s current situation, but considering they’re also without victory in their last ten LL matches against Osasuna (D7, L3).
Osasuna will therefore see this match as the perfect opportunity to strengthen their bid for the European spots, after a 1-0 win against Mallorca snapped a three game winless run in the league (D1, L2). Jagoba Arrasate’s men will likely have to treat every game as a final to achieve that dream, as not since the 2005/06 season have Osasuna finished within LL’s top-six.
Los Rojillos will know for that dream to become a reality, their form on the road has to converge with their home performances, having won double the amount of points on their own turf (18) than away (nine). Despite that return, they’ve proven themselves hard to beat as visitors, losing only twice in their last seven on their league travels (W2, D3).
Players to watch: Elche’s rescuer against Cádiz, Ezequiel Ponce, may need to play hero once again, considering nine of his last 11 league goals have been scored at home, while Osasuna’s Ante Budimir will look to continue his love affair with Elche, having registered four goal contributions in his five personal H2Hs (G3, A1).
Hot stat: Elche have seen a 0-0 half-time score in only two of their last 23 matches.