Osasuna vs Real Betis

23/3- Osasuna and Real Betis are among the 8 teams fighting it out to keep away from the relegation zone and in an attempt to keep their selves safe from the relegation zone, Osasuna play hosts to the visiting Real Betis team. While Osasuna are a couple of points away from the relegation zone, Real Betis are out of the danger zone only on a better goal difference. However the notable fact is that Real Betis have played a match less than most of the other teams and hence they also have a good chance to move away from the relegation zone. In terms of the current form both the teams can be said to be at par as both teams have registered 4 wins, 4 losses and a couple of draws in the last 10 matches. In the last match between the sides that was played earlier this season ended in favour of Osasuna, who won 0-3, away from home. Even the overall record is in favour of Osasuna by a very small difference as of the 13 matches played Osasuna have won 6 while Real Betis have managed to win 5 only.

Osasuna would be quite confident as they managed to hold a good team like Valladolid for a tie in an away match last week and also a fact that they have performed well while playing at home would add to that when they take on Real Betis this weekend. Gomes Dady has been the best striker for Osasuna this season and has already scored 6 goals and he would be expected to score once again.

Real Betis have also performed well to get out of the relegation zone but they have quite a few injury worries and they would have to put a good performance to ensure that they can stay out of the relegation zone.

Prediction: 1-2, Real Betis win

Osasuna vs Athletico Madrid

24/2- Osasuna joined one of the rare clubs last weekend when they became just the fourth team to lose against Levante this season and now the shocking defeat has put them at a spot just above the relegation zone in the 17^th place. Osasuna are just a couple of points ahead of Deportivo La Coruna and a single game could put them into the relegation zone and Osasuna would like to recover from such a situation as soon as possible. This week they have to take on a really challenging opponent in Athletico Madrid while playing at home. Athletico Madrid are placed on the 4^th spot and are fighting for a top 3 finish this season and are just a couple of points behind Villareal. Earlier this season, Athletico Madrid had got the better off Osasuna and had defeated them 2-0, in a home tie. The overall record however is pretty balanced with both teams having won 6 matches each in the last 13 matches played between them.

Osasuna enter the match on low confidence after the dismal performance last week and if they want to ensure their survival in the top league they would have to shoe more commitment and determination. Laliga is fast approaching its last and Osasuna cannot afford to lose a home tie at all. Gomes Dady would be the best option for the home side when it comes to the person who would score for them however against a team like Athletico Madrid he would have to be ably supported as well.

Athletico Madrid on the other hand would be looking at a full three points and would be hoping to see Villareal struggle against Athletic Bilbao.  They have two amazingly talented strikers in Aguero and Forlan, both of them would be expected to deliver and help their side register a big win.

Prediction: 1-3, Athletico Madrid win

Levante vs Osasuna

17/2- Levante have been fighting all season to get out of the relegation zone but at this stage it appears that all their efforts have gone down the drains they get ready to take another team that is still struggling to keep out of the relegation zone, Osasuna. While Levante have been on the last spot for long now and their relegation is almost certain but Osasuna still have a good amount of time to move ahead. Osasuna have played well but have been highly inconsistent and come into the match after they registered a victory last week playing against Real Zaragoza. Earlier this season when both the teams faced off Osasuna, playing at home, were victorious with a 4-1 margin but their overall record has been fairly equal as Levante have won 2 of the 5 matches while Osasuna have won the remaining 3.

Levante would have the home advantage as well as they would have nothing to lose and hence can play fearless football. Their form has never looked impressive throughout the season and in the last 10 matches the club has played they have won just once and have lost on 6 occasions. Riga and Rigano have been the only players from the side who have made some impact at the top level but other than them there has been nothing worth mention. They would be hoping to get a victory at home and even the record against Osasuna.

On the other side Osasuna cannot get an easier opponent than Levante, it is their golden chance to get three points and ensure a place in laliga for the next year. They have won 3 of their last 10 matches while lost 5 but here they cannot afford to drop any point. Gomes Dady has been their best striker and the fans would be hoping that he would fire this time and get the team out of the spot of bother they are currently in.

Prediction: 0-1, Osasuna win

Osasuna vs Real Zaragoza

10/2- Osasuna in the last two weeks are running towards a zone that can be really dangerous for their survival in the top league in Spain. Osasuna have dropped to the 16^th spot in the laliga and are out of the relegation zone only due to a better goal difference. The biggest problem for them is the inability to score goals and they have not been able to get on the scoring sheet 5 times of the 22 matches played. Real Zaragoza on the other hand have scored 35 times in the 22 matches and would have an upper hand at least in terms of the scoring abilities. In the first half of the season the match between the two teams ended with Zaragoza winning 2-1 at home. However looking at the overall record of both the teams Osasuna has a better record. Currently both the sides are separated by 6 points and by 6 positions on the points table, while Real Zaragoza are on the 10^th spot the home team Osasuna  are lying on the 16^th spot.

Osasuna would be heavily relying on the skills of Gomes Dady in order to get them on the scoring sheet as he has been the most prolific scorers for the side. Other than him Plasil may be the other player the team would look at, the fans would just be hoping that the team can perform better than what they have done in the past two weeks.

Real Zaragoza on the other hand are the better team in terms of performance this season and the position on the table as well. The only problem for Zaragoza is their performance away from home which has not been that good. With Milito and Oliviera in good form the fortune of the side away from home might just change in this trip to Osasuna.

Prediction: 0-1, Real Zaragoza win

Barcelona vs Osasuna

3/2- Barcelona have slowly but steadily been losing hope of a title this year as the league leaders Real Madrid have moved away a good 9 points from them and on current form it does not appear that the focus of the team might be effected by anything else. Barcelona had their task cut out especially after the last week’s match ended in a draw. With this entire in mind the second placed Barcelona play hosts to Osasuna, placed 16^th on the table this weekend. Osasuna get into the match after a 2-1 away loss to Sevilla during the week and this has also led to the downfall on the team. Though the first match between the sides this season ended in a draw similar results cannot be expected this time around as Barcelona playing at home would be highly dangerous to face. Barcelona have won 8 times of the last 17 encounters between the sides with 6 ending as draws and hence this might favour the home side even more.

Barcelona would miss their star striker Messi as they prepare to welcome Osasuna as he is sidelined due to an injury in the knee but Henry and Ronaldinho would be expected to fill in for his absence on the field. They would be hoping to get the victory and all the three points so that they can at least keep pace with Real Madrid if not actually cut down on their lead. Moreover Barca would not like any other team to give them a run for the position which could happen if they lose focus for even a couple of matches.

While the agenda for Osasuna would be to stay away from the last three spots and ensure the presence in Laliga next year as well. A point in this tie would be a great effort from an otherwise struggling team.

Prediction: 2-0, Barca win

Sevilla vs Osasuna

26/1- Sevilla return home after two terrible weeks away and dropping to the 9^th position on the points table they would aim to cover some lost ground when they take on the 14^th placed Osasuna in a home tie. Sevilla have been in tremendous home form this season and their touring form has looked equally bad and hence the two losses in the last two games would not be a huge shock as both were away games. In fact the last game they played was a very close encounter which they eventually lost against Getafe, Sevilla were edged out 3-2 in the away tie. Osasuna on the other side enter this match on a positive note after they managed to beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 at home in the last match they played. A look at the history between the two clubs, Osasuna hold the upper hand however with regards to the matches played in Sevilla, the home team has won thrice while the visitors have registered a couple of victories.

Sevilla is one of the teams which has a great striking ability and they have scored 37 goals in the 20 matches played and this would possibly rank equal to the team placed third on the points table. Fabiano has been the scoring leader for the club and has already a tally of 13 goals, he has been receiving constant support from the likes of Kanoute, who also has transformed into the play maker for the side. With the support from the home crowd and a terrific home record, Sevilla would look to gain all the 3 points at hand.

Osasuna have not performed that badly away from home but there has been nothing special as well. The main focus for them would be to at least get a point of this draw and try and get to the top half ensuring a safe distance from the relegation zone.

Prediction: 2-1, Sevilla win.

Murcia vs Osasuna

6/1- While the gaps at the top of the table are widening up there is a cluster of teams packed in the bottom half of the table and this can be seen in the match where Murcia play hosts to Osasuna. While Osasuna lie in the 12th position and are 4 places ahead of their rivals placed 16th the difference between the sides is just 1 point. A look at the history between the two sides reveals that in the 2 matches played both have been won by Osasuna. The form of both the teams is almost at par as Murcia have won 2 of their last 10 and lost 4 while Osasuna have won 3 matches and lost 4, hence there is hardly anything one can choose from.

The last match played by Murcia was an away draw against Athletic Club Bilbao in an away tie and they did show decent form but did not look as a team that could possibly win. Baiano has by far been their best goal scoring option and expectations would be high in front of the home crowd. On the defensive side Murcia would be without the likes of Pignol and Torres Ruiz which would mean that the home team would possibly have a second string line of defense.

Osasuna on the other hand showed great touch before the winter break and were highly convincing in the manner they defeated Mallorca at home. The 3-1 defeat of Mallorca not only highlighted the potential of Osasuna as a team but can also be considered as an indication of things to come as the side would be desperate to make their way in the top half of the table. With the striking ability of Gomes Dady the visiting team would be hoping to snatch all the 3 points form this tie.

Prediction: 1-2, Osasuna win

Real Madrid vs Osasuna

16/12- In the last match of the weekend Real Madrid take on 14^th placed Osasuna. Real Madrid are the defending champions and the current leaders, they have been in great form at home this season and carry a 100% win record with themselves and hence the match with Osasuna can be an addition to that. Going by the past encounters between the two sides Real Madrid has won 4 of the last six encounters while the others were drawn. As per current form Osasuna will be going into this match after a couple of draws, the last one being last week against Valencia at home while Real Madrid are on a winning streak with the last two games won and would like to make it three in a row after they beat Athletic Bilbao in an away tie last week.

 

Real Madrid are not only a confident and well performing side but they can also demoralize their opponents with the kind of performance they give on field. The trio of Raul, Van Nistelrooy and Robinho has been doing exceedingly well for the club and they have all scored more than 5 goals each this season and over all are combining pretty well to create opportunities and convert them into goals. They are already 4 points ahead of second placed Barcelona and would be looking to extend their lead or at least maintain it and anything less than 3 points would be disappointing looking at their current form.

 

Osasuna would rather struggle to overcome the threat of Real Madrid in this away tie and would hope that the likes of Gomes Dady and Garcia can push in a goal and then the defense can stop any attack from the home team, even a point of this match would be a bonus for them.

 

Prediction: 3-1 Real Madrid win

   

Osasuna vs Valencia

08/12- Valencia were one of the sides that started off the season on a very bright note and then not so long ago thrashed Real Madrid 5-1 but all of a sudden the world has changed for the club, its players and fans. Their home loss to Athletic Bilbao last week has put them out f the top 5 and 8 points behind the league leaders as well. Their problems are pounding on and on, the team has injury problems and worse enough they have been conceding many goals in every match. Though the team has scored goals but their oppositions have been able to score equally freely and this highlights their defensive weakness.

 

With a series of key players missing, Valencia will be looking forward to the return of Ivan Helguera, who was out due to an injury and also quite some bit will be expected from Morientes. Both these former Real Madrid club mates need to pull out a rabbit of the hat to get the team back on winning tracks. The home team on the other hand will be looking to make the most of this opportunity. The season has been a mixed bag for the club and the results have gone against them in the ending moments of the game and this demands more focus from the team players.

 

Osasuna would be hoping Punal and Plasil to deliver the performance they did mid week against Sevilla. A win here potentially could put Osasuna back in the hunt for a spot in the top half of the table while another defeat for Valencia would mean a virtual goodbye to the champions’ title this season as they are already running behind the league leaders by quite a big margin. All this would lead up to a spiced up battle as both teams have a point to prove.

 

Prediction: 1-1 draw

Deportivo La Coruna vs Osasuna – 2/12

Deportivo play hosts to Osasuna, a clash which could once be considered in the top half of the table is between team no 16 and 17. A common thing between both sides is the miserable season and form of both the sides. Though Deportivo are coming off an away draw against Bilbao, Osasuna worsened things with a home loss to Espanyol. With both teams separated by a point and Deportivo is on the 16^th spot, Osasuna has played a match lesser. Coach Lotina would have his fingers crossed in anticipation of a crucial home win, something that has eluded the side for sometime now.

 

Deportivo supporters would expect a win from their team which might take them to a higher position on the table but Verdu looks to be the only threat for the opposition goal. The defense for Deportivo has been found wanting most of the times but this time it would have the side behind them to help them keep away the Osasua strikers. Though they are a point behind on the table and the last week loss, Osasuna can always come up with a killer punch. They also have played a match less and that is a big mental advantage they have.

 

Osasuna also need to cover for the last week’s home loss and would look at Punal to deliver. Ricardo is ever so strong on the goal but as has been the case throughout the La liga season, their defense is far too weak to stop quality attacks and that is the area they have been found wanting. A loss for any team would be absolutely disastrous as both the sides are terribly close to the relegation zone, both teams will try to squeeze at least a point of this tie, though a win will be much sweeter.

 

Prediction: 2-2

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