| Match Details |
Information |
| Competition | La Liga – (Spain) |
| Round | 18 |
| Date & Time |
2026-01-03, 16:15 – (Include timezone BST/GMT). |
| Stadium | Estadio El Sadar |
Prediction
– Osasuna 2 – 1 Athletic Club
– Osasuna 2 – 1 Athletic Club
Recent
Form
Form
As Osasuna and Athletic Club prepare to face off in La Liga’s
18th round, both teams enter the match with contrasting momentum based on
their recent league performances. Osasuna appears to be in commendable form,
having secured three victories, one draw, and one loss in their last five
league matches. Notably, their impressive 3-0 win against Deportivo Alavés
and a significant 2-0 victory at FC Barcelona underscore their ability to
perform strongly both at home and on the road. Their only setback came
against Real Sociedad, where they suffered a 1-3 defeat. Nonetheless, with a
strong offensive record, evidenced by scoring in each of their last five
matches, Osasuna carries positive momentum into this encounter.
In contrast, Athletic Club’s recent league form has been inconsistent, with
two wins and three losses in their last five outings. Their victories,
including a 2-0 win away at Celta de Vigo and a narrow 1-0 triumph against
Atlético Madrid, showcase their potential to secure crucial results against
formidable opponents. However, heavy defeats against Real Madrid (0-3) and
Levante (0-2), alongside a surprising 1-2 loss to Espanyol at home, highlight
vulnerabilities, particularly in defense, which could be a concern as they
travel to face Osasuna.
Overall, while Osasuna seems to possess a slight edge in terms of recent
form and momentum, Athletic Club’s capability to pull off significant wins cannot
be underestimated. This encounter promises to be an intriguing clash, with
both teams eager to establish dominance and gain crucial points in their La
Liga campaigns.
Osasuna Last 5 League
Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards |
Yellow Cards |
Corners | Free Kicks |
Possession | Assists |
| Osasuna Vs Deportivo Alavés |
3-0 | 0 – 0 |
2 – 2 | 9 – 0 |
10 – 16 | 47% – 53% | 1 – 0 |
| FC Barcelona Vs Osasuna |
0-2 | 0 – 0 |
0 – 3 | 14 – 1 |
8 – 5 | 80% – 20% |
1 – 0 |
| Osasuna Vs Levante |
2-0 | 0 – 0 |
2 – 2 | 3 – 3 | 7 – 15 |
41% – 59% | 2 – 0 |
| Mallorca Vs Osasuna |
2-2 | 0 – 0 |
3 – 4 | 2 – 8 |
14 – 10 | 52% – 48% |
1 – 2 |
| Osasuna Vs Real Sociedad |
1-3 | 1 – 0 |
3 – 2 | 3 – 3 |
7 – 13 | 46% – 54% |
1 – 3 |
Osasuna has shown a
commendable run of form in their recent La Liga fixtures, securing three
victories, one draw, and a single loss in their last five matches. The team’s
ability to earn decisive wins, particularly against Deportivo Alavés and
Levante with 3-0 and 2-0 scorelines respectively, highlights their attacking
efficiency and defensive solidity. Notably, Osasuna managed to deliver an
impressive 2-0 victory against FC Barcelona, despite having only 20% possession.
This indicates a strategic approach relying on counter-attacks and maximizing
scoring opportunities from limited chances.
Despite the positive results, Osasuna has faced challenges in maintaining
possession, as evidenced by their lower ball retention in most matches.
Against Mallorca, they managed a 2-2 draw, showing resilience and an ability
to capitalize on set-pieces as seen in their high corner count of eight.
Conversely, the match against Real Sociedad exposed some defensive
vulnerabilities, leading to a 1-3 defeat. Discipline is another area of
concern, with multiple yellow cards in several matches potentially disrupting
their defensive structure.
The absence of Enzo Boyomo, who is on national team duty, could impact
Osasuna’s defensive lineup. However, the predicted starting lineup still
includes experienced defenders like Alejandro Catena and Valentin Rosier,
which may help maintain stability at the back. The midfield, featuring Lucas
Torró and Jon Moncayola, appears robust and capable of both supporting the
defense and initiating counter-attacks. The presence of Ante Budimir as the
spearhead in attack suggests that Osasuna will continue to focus on quick
transitions and exploiting any defensive lapses from their opponents.
Overall, Osasuna’s recent performances indicate a team that can adapt to
different challenges, often excelling under pressure. Their strategy will
likely focus on organized defense and effective counter-attacks, leveraging
the speed and creativity of their midfielders. While maintaining discipline
remains crucial, the team’s current form and tactical flexibility position
them well for their upcoming fixture at Estadio El Sadar.
Athletic Club Last 5
League Matches
| Teams | Result | Red Cards |
Yellow Cards |
Corners | Free Kicks |
Possession | Assists |
| Athletic Club Vs Espanyol |
1-2 | 0 – 0 |
5 – 2 | 8 – 4 |
9 – 10 | 66% – 34% |
0 – 1 |
| Celta de Vigo Vs Athletic Club |
0-2 | 0 – 0 |
3 – 2 | 1 – 4 |
13 – 10 | 50% – 50% |
1 – 0 |
| Athletic Club Vs Atlético Madrid |
1-0 | 0 – 0 | 3 – 2 |
5 – 6 | 12 – 9 |
44% – 56% | 1 – 0 |
| Athletic Club Vs Real Madrid |
0-3 | 0 – 0 |
2 – 0 | 5 – 7 |
4 – 15 | 38% – 62% |
0 – 3 |
| Levante Vs Athletic Club |
2-0 | 0 – 0 |
3 – 2 | 4 – 2 |
19 – 11 | 56% – 44% |
0 – 2 |
In recent weeks, Athletic
Club’s performances in La Liga have been a mixed bag, reflecting both
resilience and vulnerability. Their last five league matches reveal two wins
and three losses, highlighting inconsistency that has affected their standing
in the league. A closer examination of these matches reveals critical
insights into their playing style and current form.
One of the notable victories came against Celta de Vigo, where Athletic
Club secured a 2-0 win. This match demonstrated their capability to maintain
a balanced possession and capitalize on key opportunities. The team’s ability
to convert possession into goals was evident, as they managed to score twice
despite evenly split possession. Their defense also held firm, as evidenced
by a clean sheet. However, their defeat against Real Madrid exposed defensive
frailties, with the team conceding three goals and struggling to maintain
possession, which was a mere 38% compared to Real Madrid’s 62%.
The team’s discipline on the field is another area of concern, as reflected
by the number of yellow cards accrued, particularly in the match against
Espanyol where they received five. This tendency towards aggressive play
could be a double-edged sword; while it demonstrates their combativeness, it
also risks undermining their performance through potential suspensions and
injuries. The absence of Aymeric Laporte due to a hamstring injury has
further strained their defensive lineup, potentially impacting their ability
to contain opposing forwards.
Looking towards their upcoming match, Athletic Club will likely rely on their
predicted lineup to leverage their strengths in midfield and attack. Players
like Nico Williams and Iñaki Williams will be pivotal in orchestrating
offensive plays and breaking down opposition defenses. The team’s strategy
will need to focus on maintaining possession and minimizing defensive errors,
especially given the recent setbacks. If Athletic Club can harness their
attacking potential while bolstering their defense, they stand a good chance
of improving their recent performances in the league.
Team News &
Injuries
Injuries
Osasuna Injuries
& Suspensions
- Enzo Boyomo (Called Up To National
Team)
Athletic Club Injuries
& Suspensions
- Aymeric Laporte (Hamstring
Injury)
Head-to-Head (H2H) Record
& Summary
& Summary
H2H
Last 5
| Teams | Result | Red Cards |
Yellow Cards |
Corners | Free Kicks |
Possession | Assists |
| Osasuna Vs Athletic Club |
N/A | 0 – 0 |
1 – 1 | 3 – 4 |
12 – 12 | 62% – 38% |
0 – 0 |
| Osasuna Vs Athletic Club |
N/A | 0 – 0 |
0 – 1 | 4 – 3 |
13 – 10 | 53% – 47% | 0 – 0 |
| Osasuna Vs Athletic Club |
N/A | 0 – 0 |
2 – 4 | 8 – 6 |
0 – 0 | 67% – 33% |
1 – 2 |
| Osasuna Vs Athletic Club |
N/A | 1 – 1 |
1 – 4 | 5 – 3 |
0 – 0 | 62% – 38% |
0 – 2 |
| Osasuna Vs Athletic Club |
N/A | 0 – 0 |
3 – 3 | 3 – 6 |
0 – 0 | 48% – 52% |
2 – 0 |
H2H Detailed
Analysis
The head-to-head record between Osasuna and
Athletic Club reveals a competitive dynamic marked by closely contested
matches. Historically, these encounters have shown varied possession
statistics, with Osasuna traditionally dominating ball control. This pattern
is evident in multiple past matches, where Osasuna enjoyed possession rates
as high as 67%, suggesting a tactical approach focused on controlling the
midfield and dictating the pace of the game. Despite this dominance, the
matches have been tightly contested in other areas, such as yellow card
counts and corner kicks, indicating a balance of defensive resilience and
attacking attempts from both sides. One notable trend is the consistent
number of free kicks, which often suggests a physical encounter, although red
cards have been sparse, pointing to disciplined defensive play.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fixture at Estadio El Sadar, both teams face
challenges due to key absences. Osasuna will miss Enzo Boyomo, who is on
national duty, potentially affecting their defensive setup. Conversely,
Athletic Club’s defense will be tested without Aymeric Laporte, sidelined due
to a hamstring injury. The predicted lineups suggest that Osasuna will likely
continue their strategy of midfield control with players like Jon Moncayola
and Aimar Oroz orchestrating play, while Athletic Club will rely on the
Williams brothers’ attacking prowess to exploit any defensive lapses. The
absence of Laporte could see Athletic Club adopting a more cautious defensive
approach, which may tilt the balance slightly in Osasuna’s favor. However,
given the historical context, expect another closely fought encounter where
tactical adjustments and individual performances could tip the scales in
either team’s favor.
Predicted
Lineups
- Formation:
4-2-3-1 - Players: Sergio Herrera (Goalkeeper), Jorge
Herrando (Defender), Valentin Rosier (Defender), Abel Bretones (Defender),
Alejandro Catena (Defender), Lucas Torró (Midfielder), Jon Moncayola
(Midfielder), Aimar Oroz (Midfielder), Rubén García (Midfielder), Víctor
Muñoz (Midfielder), Ante Budimir (Attacker)
- Formation:
4-2-3-1 - Players: Unai Simón (Goalkeeper), Andoni
Gorosabel (Defender), Aitor Paredes (Defender), Iñigo Lekue (Defender), Adama
Boiro (Defender), Álex Berenguer (Midfielder), Oihan Sancet (Midfielder),
Nico Williams (Midfielder), Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta (Midfielder), Mikel
Jauregizar (Midfielder), Iñaki Williams
(Attacker)