Osasuna v Villarreal – Betting Preview
Osasuna Summary
Osasuna has seen their form in the league drop off in recent weeks, although they do begin the round in 8th place which is respectable considering what preseason expectations would have been.
They deserved more from their goalless game at home to Celta Vigo two weeks ago in Pamplona. However, last time out they didn’t do themselves any justice in a flat showing in Valencia, where they lost 1-0.
Osasuna remains in good shape in the league. They are still contesting the top seven places and possible UEFA qualification. They feel in positive mood with that, plus a possible Copa del Rey final on the horizon.
Looking at team news now. Osasuna is without Aimar Oroz who serves a one match ban for a yellow card suspension.
Brasanac and Ibáñez do battle to replace Oroz in the midfield
The boss Jagoba Arrasate is also without Rubén Peña.
In a positive defensive boost, centre back Aridane has recovered from a knock and looks set to play.
Villarreal Summary
Villarreal’s mood and confidence is much improved coming into this round after a highly impressive win over Almeria (2-0) last weekend.
That away win was on the back of a late home win over Getafe. And with these consecutive victories, the la Liga 2022/23 table suddenly makes much better reading for the Yellow Submarine.
Villarreal had been ousted from the top six but after the win last weekend, they are back in 6th place before any matches begin, and remain well in the fight for European places.
The minimum target of this campaign is top six and but either way, this is a match they will be set on getting all three points. A draw is not a disaster however.
Looking at team news now. Villareal arrives at El Sadar missing Dynamic midfielder Alex Baena who is banned.
They will use Terrats in his place, a raw 22 year old where, as shown in the images below, likes a shot but has a far weaker XG and goal contribution compared to Baena.
Alex Baena is a busy and more effective player, younger but more used. Details below.
Below is the numbers for the replacement, Terrats. His XG is in the lower tier for those in his position in La Liga.
Meanwhile Seiten is missing both defensive men Capoue and Coquelin.
They will likely rotate in each line to avoid fatigue on the back of the game with Anderlecht on Thursday. Albiol, Pau Torres, Pedraza, Trigueros, and Yeremi all return having rested for the second leg.
The only Players which will have played both games are Parejo, Chukwueze, Terrats and Gerard Moreno.
Betting Analysis
Looking at the 1×2 market first. Villarreal @ 2.55 is a favourite here as the market shows little respect to Osasuna.
The host are fierce at home and will probably have more ambition and threat in this match. Osasuna to win is @ 2.95, while the draw is @ 3.25.
Moving onto the Asian handicap betting for this contest. So close is the betting between these two well matched sides, the Draw no bet (DNB) is offered as a cushion. So, a bet on Osasuna -0 @ 2.10 or Villarreal -0 @ 1.78 would see the full stake returned should it end as a draw. Preference goes to Osasuna.
Looking at The Under/Over goal betting last of all. The line is set at 2.25, the Over is @ 2.01 and the Under is @ 1.82, easy pass on goals.