Real Madrid vs Osasuna prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2025-08-18 19:00.
[p]Xabi Alonso will make his long-awaited return to the Bernabéu when Real Madrid begin their quest of reclaiming the Spanish crown in a delayed first round fixture against Osasuna.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Real Madrid’s request to postpone their league opener was declined, leaving them with only one friendly for preparation. That was after Los Blancos played in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup where they lost 4-0 to PSG in the semi-finals. Alonso will hope his new-look defence, boosted by new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold, can draw inspiration from his personal playing record at Santiago Bernabéu (six defeats in 108 games). Their fans will be expecting them to respond emphatically to arch-rivals Barcelona’s 3-0 win at the weekend, and they should have no issue doing so after constructing last season’s best home record (W16, D1, L2) of the division.  [/p]
[p]Osasuna finished ninth last season, only narrowly missing out on European qualification due to an inferior H2H record against Rayo Vallecano. Los Rojillos have a new head coach in Alessio Lisci, who oversaw the promotion play-off finals run of Mirandés last season in the Segunda Division, but had a quiet transfer window at his new headquarters. Lisci’s biggest challenge is to significantly improve Osasuna’s away record, with their European dreams shattered by a haul of just two away wins last league season, although their league-high ten draws means they could spring an upset in the form of a stalemate.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]Real Madrid have not lost any of the last 20 league H2Hs (W14, D6). Osasuna did manage to draw two of their last four away La Liga games against Madrid (L2).[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Madrid haven’t lost any of their last 16 matchday one La Liga fixtures (W11, D5).[/p]
[p]Madrid scored two or fewer goals in seven of their last nine league fixtures.[/p]
[p]Osasuna saw under 2.5 total goals scored in ten of their last 13 away La Liga games.[/p]
[p]Osasuna drew more games than any other La Liga side last season when conceding the opening goal (W0, D9, L7).[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]VinĂcius JĂşnior has eight goals in 11 top-flight H2Hs and scored five goals in Madrid’s last three league games at this venue against Osasuna including a hat-trick last season. Ante Budimir scored the third-most goals of all La Liga players last season and also registered Osasuna’s first goal in two of their last four H2Hs.[/p]
[p]Madrid will be without defender Antonio Rüdiger, carrying over his suspension from last season. Jude Bellingham, Endrick and Eduardo Camavinga are also set to miss out for Madrid with injuries, while Osasuna have no notable confirmed absentees.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Osasuna limited Madrid to two or fewer goals in six of their last ten league meetings and could once again frustrate the hosts. A low scoring game looks likely, making under 2.5 goals a pick worth considering.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Sridhar Bhamidi[/i][/p]