Valencia vs Osasuna prediction: SPAIN: LaLiga betting tips on match 2023-08-26 17:30.
Valencia were one of three La Liga (LL) teams to win their first two league fixtures of the 2023/24 campaign, but they had to work hard for those six points as both victories came via one-goal margins following goalless first halves. There was more good news this week as they signed highly-rated 21-year-old forward Marco Camus from Racing Santander, although he has joined up with their âBâ squad for the time being.
Manager RubĂ©n Baraja declared he still wants to sign more attackers before the end of the month, but after winning their first two league games of the season for the first time since 2011/12, thereâs cautious optimism at Mestalla. And the mood will brighten more if Baraja can notch up Los Chesâ first six-match unbeaten run in home league games since December 2021 (current sequence: W3, D2).
Standing in their way are Osasuna, whoâve had a mixed start to the league season (W1, L1) and opened their UEFA Europa Conference League campaign by losing 2-1 to Club Brugge on Thursday night. Having named a strong line-up against the Belgians, manager Jagoba Arrasate now has to contend with a quick turnaround while also thinking about next weekâs away leg with their European ambitions hanging in the balance.
While thatâs undoubtedly going to test their squad depth, this was always going to be a tricky encounter as theyâve won just one of the last 16 away H2Hs (D2, L13). Still, Los Rojillos have already shown an appetite for ending poor runs this term as their 2-0 win at Celta Vigo on matchday one saw them snap a run of three straight LL away defeats.
Players to watch: At just 20 years of age, Javi Guerra is one of Valenciaâs brightest prospects and he has a knack for scoring crucial late goals. Both of his senior strikes were match-winners after the 85th minute, including against Sevilla on matchday one. Born almost ten years before Guerra, Osasunaâs RubĂ©n GarcĂa opened the scoring in his last two goalscoring fixtures, including against Celta. Notably, both came away from home.
Hot stat: Valencia have scored after the 70th minute in four of their last five home league fixtures (W3, D2).