Osasuna vs Almeria prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-05-12 14:15.
Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate admitted he shed tears after the club lost their first Copa del Rey (CDR) final in 18 years, this time falling short against the might of Real Madrid (L 2-1). Following three consecutive competitive losses against La Liga’s (LL) current top four, the visit of Almería could be a timely one as they seek to defibrillate their dying season.
The hard slog of a compacted LL season and eight-game CDR journey could finally be taking its toll, as the proud Pamplona club are now on the verge of no European action at all in 2023/24 after being just one point shy of the top four during the World Cup break. Hosting a team outside the top five heading into this round – against whom Osasuna have a home LL record of W8, D1, L2 – could be just what they need.
Almería ended last weekend just two points above the danger zone in a congested bottom half owing to crucial 2-1 wins against the condemned Elche, as well as direct relegation competitors Getafe and Valencia across their last six outings. Finishing the season against Valladolid and Espanyol could therefore play into their hands.
Head coach Rubi believes that five more points from their five remaining games should be enough to survive, whilst seeking to quash complacency after the Elche win when assessing that “there is a long way to go, nothing is done.” But this away trip to Osasuna, as well as their next to Sociedad, could both be writeoffs if their away LL record against clubs finishing the last round above them in the standings (D1, L10) is anything to go by.
Players to watch: Osasuna midfielder Rubén García boasts a perfect personal record of eight wins from eight league meetings with Almería, including a goal in the 2018/19 Segunda División season. Léo Baptistão will hope to be a lucky charm for the visitors once again, having won four of his five goalscoring appearances this season after opening the scoring against Elche.
Hot stat: All but two of Osasuna’s 12 wins this LL season were by a single-goal margin.