Osasuna vs Ath Bilbao prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2026-01-02 15:15.
[p]Osasuna are making a move away from the relegation zone and kick off 2026 by hosting Athletic Bilbao, whose inconsistency is thwarting their ambitions of another season in Europe.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Osasuna started December level on points with the last relegation place before then winning a pair of home games (2-0 v Levante and 3-0 v Alavés) to spend Christmas three points ahead of the 18th-placed side. They have had a curious La Liga season where all five wins have been on home soil (D1, L2) whilst having already made away trips to the six best clubs in the competition (L6). The hardest part of their campaign could therefore be out of the way, but things are set to get tougher at home. The aforementioned home record is the foundation of their mid-table position, but it includes games against only two opponents to have earned more than 20 points by Christmas (Elche D 1-1 and Celta Vigo L 3-2), so they could be tested here. [/p]
[p]Athletic’s aspirations for more European football were dented at the end of 2025 when they lost to two higher-ranked clubs in Celta Vigo (2-0 away) and Espanyol (2-1 home). Spending the break in eighth place but with one more game played than their nearest challengers, Athletic face the prospect of sliding into the bottom half if they can’t make the most of three consecutive away trips to clubs all ranked below them on Christmas Day. That in itself is no guarantee of success, with defeats to relegation contenders such as Sociedad (3-2) and Valencia (2-0) contributing to their poor record of five away defeats (W2, D1) this league campaign.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Osasuna have won only two of the last ten H2Hs in this competition (D4, L4). Those two victories were claimed on home turf, but Athletic were triumphant in the other seven of their last nine trips to Osasuna. [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Four of Osasuna’s last five La Liga home fixtures produced over 2.5 goals. [/p]
[p]Osasuna have won four of their last six La Liga home games as a betting underdog (D1, L1). [/p]
[p]The team that scored first has won 15 of Athletic’s 18 La Liga matches this season.[/p]
[p]The pre-match favourite has won five of Athletic’s eight La Liga away games this season (D1, L2).[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Osasuna defensive midfielder Lucas Torró could be a surprise scorer, with two of his last five league goals coming against this opposition. Athletic captain Iñaki Williams could be similarly inspired after scoring or assisting in three of the last four La Liga H2Hs. [/p]
[p]Osasuna’s Abel Bretones will miss this game with a yellow card suspension. Athletic’s injury list during the break included Aymeric Laporte and Yuri Berchiche. [/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Osasuna’s strong home form makes them an appealing underdog, so we’re anticipating a home win. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]