Osasuna vs Granada CF prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-10-19 19:00.
The international break came at a good time for Osasuna manager Jagoba Arrasate ahead of what he has described as âa crucial monthâ for the club. Arrasate is ânot happyâ with their modest haul of ten points after nine La Liga (LL) rounds, their equal-fewest at this stage since returning to the top-flight, but he pointed out a difficult schedule in which they faced four current UEFA Champions League clubs across September and October (D1, L3).
Their next four LL games, three of which are at home, present big opportunities to climb back into the top half of the standings. Despite their poor start, Osasuna remain undefeated against clubs starting this round beneath them in the table (W2, D1), keeping clean sheets on all three occasions, so they should be approaching this game against a Granada side who fall into that category confidently.
Relegation contenders Granada are on the up however, although it hasnât yet been enough to get them out of trouble. Draws at home to highly-placed Real Betis (1-1) and Barcelona (2-2) could serve them well in the long term if they can pick up some victories against weaker opposition. The latter delivered manager Paco LĂłpez his 18th LL point against either Barça or Real Madrid since the 2017/18 season (W5, D3, L8), a haul that only Diego Simeone (22) has beaten in that same period!
But it was a âbittersweetâ result for LĂłpez who lamented the teamâs inability to hold onto their 2-0 lead, which came just a week after they converted a 3-0 half-time deficit into a draw at AlmerĂa. Granada can certainly say theyâre delivering no shortage of goals or entertainment, though by having conceded the first and/or last goal of each of their LL matches this season, the âcomplete performanceâ continues to elude them.
Players to watch: After he signed a contract extension last week, Osasuna forward Ante Budimir should have a clear mind to repeat his goalscoring exploits against AlavĂ©s. Similarly influential, Granadaâs Bryan Zaragoza has scored in three of the four LL games that they did not lose this LL season.
Hot streak: None of Granadaâs last 37 league games ended goalless.