Osasuna vs Girona Prediction & Tips
A poor defensive display by Osasuna following a short corner kick by Betis was capitalized on by Isco, who scored a sensational stoppage-time shot to deny Jagoba Arrasate’s side a point on their visit to the Benito Villamarín (BET 2-1 OSA). Los Rojillos, who had equalized through Rubén García’s 85th-minute strike, ended up suffering their sixth defeat of the current LaLiga EA Sports (LL) season, the most the club has recorded in the first 11 games of any of its last six LL campaigns.
Seventh last season, Osasuna has been inconsistent and has yet to really take off in the current championship. This Saturday, the Navarran side faces the daunting challenge of taking on Girona, who visit Pamplona in second place. Osasuna have not lost any of their five previous league meetings against the Girona side (G3, E2), but El Sadar is far from being a fortress at present; the red-and-red team has won just one of its last six official home games (G1, E1, P4).
Girona will certainly need to be at their best to take the lead at El Sadar, but Míchel Sánchez’s side will be hoping not to suffer as much as they did against Celta Vigo last time out. After a controversial goal disallowed to the Vigo team in the 83rd minute, the rojiblancos broke the 0-0 deadlock in stoppage time for their ninth win in 11 matches (G9, E1, P1). With 19 points more than at this point in LL 2022-23, Girona continues to rewrite its history in the Spanish soccer elite.
The Catalan side is tied on 28 points with Real Madrid (leaders), but it should be noted that nine of their 11 matches have been against clubs ranked 10th or lower at the start of this matchday. Míchel’s side, whose center-back David López could be suspended for his half-time comments against Almería (GIR 5-2 ALM), will be looking to maintain their perfect record against opponents in the bottom half of the table before facing a number of hugely demanding fixtures in the coming weeks.
Players to watch: Two goals from Ante Budimir gave Osasuna the win in the most recent game at El Sadar (2-0 vs Granada), where the rojillo side also beat Girona on the final day of LL 2022-23 with a brace from the Croatian striker. Watch out for the threat to the Osasun defense from talented Brazilian winger Sávio (19), who scored a maradonian goal on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey and has scored/assisted seven goals in the current league championship. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) is the only U-21 player to surpass that figure in Europe’s big five leagues this season.
Key statistic: At the end of the last LL matchday, no team had scored more goals in the second 45 minutes than Girona (12).
Osasuna – Girona FREE TIPS
UNDER 2.5 GOALS @ 2.25
