Osasuna vs Valencia
Spanish La Liga
Date: Monday, 9th January 2017
Kick-off: 19:45 UK
Venue: Estadio El Sadar, Pamplona.
Osasuna didn’t have much of luck in their previous LaLiga game, now almost three weeks ago, when the team visited Deportivo La Coruna and stood defeated 2:0. The game itself was a bit more balanced than what the final result shows, but the players of Deportivo looked more decisive when having ball possession and surely did celebrated the victory completely deservedly.
After league duties, team played Copa del Rey match against Granada and managed to progress further with a 2:0 home victory (2:1 on aggregate), but suffered heavy 0:3 home defeat against Eibar in the first leg of 1/8 finals few days ago, probably ending their Cup campaign for this season. Osasuna remains at the rock bottom position in LaLiga, having only seven points collected so far, which is five less than safely laced Valencia and that’s what makes this game so important for them.
Home team should be playing in 4-4-2 formation with Riera and Leon as strikers. Right full back Oier is back after serving suspension. Petar Vasiljevic was named a coach after second sacking this season and their lineup remains somehow unpredictable now. The team however continues to miss right back Javier Flano (2/0), central defender Miguel Flano (12/1) and midfielders Didier Digard (3/0) and Jaime Romero (9/0). Left back Fuentes and midfielders De las Cuevas, Fran Merida and Fausto are all doubtful due to different health problems.
Valencia, on the other side, finished the previous year with a 3:2 defeat away to Real Sociedad, staying without any point for this match deservedly needs to be said, as the home team looked even better than what the final result showed in the end.
Players of Sociedad had much more of the ball possession and controlled the match fro the first minute, making players of Valencia to search for their chances only via counter attacks and with much more passive role than what was supposed to be. Home team took the lead already in second minute with a goal from Willian Jose, as the same player doubled up their lead in 24th. Valencia replied from a penalty kick in 36th via Parejo, while Vela missed penalty for the home team earlier in second to make their lives easier.
Guests stood playing with a man less in 82nd when Cancelo got red card, with both teams scoring once again towards the end of the match, hosts via Juanmi in first minute of additional time and Valencia just moments later via Bakkali. Similar to Osausna, Valencia managed to overcame Leganes in Cope del Rey, but suffered heavy 1:4 home defeat against Celta few days ago and probably ended their Cope del Rey path, surely being anyway much more interested in LaLiga.
Visitors from Valencia will be playing in 4-3-3 formation with Nani and Rodrigo as wingers, plus Munir probably as central striker. Right back and sometimes right midfielder Joao Cancelo (15/0) is missing due suspension, while injured remains Ezequiel Garay, central defender (8/1). Out with African Cup of Nations duty is central defender Aymen Adbennour (7/0). Eliaquim Mangala and Aderllan Santos should be forced to play as central defenders. Left back Jose Gaya and central defender Aderlan Santos are doubtful.
Osasuna have lost their last six matches in Spanish top-flight and I don’t see them improving that easily. Valencia is without a victory in last four matches, but the team still has much more individual quality at least in comparison to the home team. One way or another, I see chances for the away victory well above 50%.
Osasuna vs Valencia: Head-to-Head Stats
Valencia have been much more successful in head to head clashes, but they are miles away from where they were a couple of years ago. The Bats will be looking to keep the tradition since they are undefeated in last 12 matches with Osasuna, winning most of them. This will be easier said than done looking at their poor form at the back as they have conceded at least a single goal in each of the 18 matches in all competitions since the start of the season.
Osasuna vs Valencia: Prediction
We are definitely backing the both teams to score option here since we can’t see any of the two sides keeping a clean sheet. The bookmakers are offering decent 3/4 odds for this pick which is worth taking in a mid-stakes double. Over 2.5 goals at 17/20 does not seem to be a bad option either.
Osasuna vs Valencia: Betting Tips
BTTS 3/4
Over 2.5 FT at 17/20
