Osasuna host Athletic Bilbao on Monday night in La Liga as the two Spanish rivals seek to move away from midtable and into the upper half of the division.
The home side are 13th in La Liga ahead of Monday night’s match up. The Pamplona club are winless in six straight matches and sinking down the table. Seven points separate Osasuna and the relegation zone in the La Liga table.
🔥 Último entrenamiento del 2021.👊 ¡Seguimos, EQUIPO! 🔜 #OsasunaAthletic pic.twitter.com/48aMPqPRMW— C. A. OSASUNA (@CAOsasuna) December 30, 2021
🔥 Último entrenamiento del 2021.👊 ¡Seguimos, EQUIPO! 🔜 #OsasunaAthletic pic.twitter.com/48aMPqPRMW
Athletic Bilbao are 10th in the La Liga standings ahead of Monday’s clash. They are also on a poor run of form in La Liga. The Lions have won just once in their last six matches in the Spanish top flight. Nine points separate Athletic Bilbao from the relegation zone.
Just five points separate Athletic Bilbao from La Liga’s top five. The Lions ability to fight for European qualification and relegation, depending on results over the next few games, shows the quality of La Liga outside the top three.
Monday’s match is the first meeting between Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna this season. In 2020-21, Osasuna won at El Sadar Stadium 1-0. The teams played out a 2-2 draw at San Mames in the reverse fixture.
Since 2016, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao have met six times in La Liga. Their series of matches have been cut right down the middle with Athletic Bilbao winning two, Osasuna winning two, and the teams drawing twice.
Osasuna go into the fixture with the league’s third-worst home points total. Just eight points from 27 points possible have been taken from El Sadar. They are –6 in goals at home.
Athletic Bilbao have lost just once one the road in 2021-22 La Liga play. However, they have won just once. The Lions have posted a record of 1W-7D-1L away from San Mames. Five of their last six away games finished as draws.
Despite a long list of positive COVID-19 tests at San Mames, this game will be played. Eight players tested positive for COVID-19 over Christmas and each of those players could miss out for Athletic.
In addition, Asier Villalibre, Peru Nolaskoain, Yuri Berchiche, and Daniel Vivian are all doubts due to various injuries.
Osasuna’s had seven players tested positive for coronavirus. Each of those members of the squad could miss the fixture on Monday. In addition, Aridane Hernandez and Jesus Areso are both likely to miss out through injuries.
Last time out, these teams drew at San Mames. With the combination of missing players, the return from the holiday break, and Athletic Bilbao’s penchant to draw games on the road, this match should finish in a stalemate. Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao should combine for under 2.5 goals.