Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao prediction and betting tips on December 21, 2024
Game Prediction
On December 21, 2024, Osasuna will face Athletic Bilbao in the 18th round of La Liga. The hosts are aiming for a place in the European spots, while the visitors are looking to consolidate their position in the top four – victory is essential for both teams.
Prediction for the Match: Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao
Osasuna had a worse season than in 2022/2023, finishing only in 11th place. Previously, they had earned the right to compete in European competitions, but it ended in the first round of the Conference League qualifiers. In Bilbao, Ernesto Valverde's second stint started to yield tangible results: fifth place and, most importantly, their first Copa del Rey trophy in forty years.
This allowed the Basques to return to the Europa League, where they have been performing quite well. Starting with a draw against Roma away, the team then won all their matches, including a 2-0 victory over Fenerbahçe. In La Liga, of course, there are no such perfect records, but they managed to hold on to Iñaki Williams and gradually picked up pace, rising to fourth place. Only a 1-1 draw at home against Alavés marred their campaign. In Pamplona, long-time coach Jagoba Arrasate left the post, and Vicente Moreno was appointed as his replacement. Under his guidance, things haven’t gotten worse, though recently, victories have only come in the cup, with a 0-0 draw against Espanyol.
Both teams play pragmatically. The Basques score an average of 1.5 goals per match and, even without the injured Unai Simón, concede less than 0.9. The visitors, on the other hand, have a negative goal difference with 1.4 goals scored and 1.55 conceded.
Key Stats and Trends for Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao
- Osasuna has lost only one match out of their last nine.
- 59% of Osasuna's matches end with both teams scoring, with an average of 2.76 goals per match.
- Athletic Bilbao has won six matches in a row and has not lost in thirteen games.
- 67% of Athletic Bilbao's matches end with both teams scoring, with an average of 2.39 goals per match.
Possible Starting Lineups
Osasuna (Possible lineup): Herrera – Juan Cruz, Boyomo, Catena, Areso – Torro, Moncayola, Bretónes, Oros, Rubén García – Budimir.
Athletic Bilbao (Possible lineup): Agirrezabala – Berciche, Paredes, Vivian, De Marcos – Prados, Ruiz de Galarreta, Sancet, Berenger, Williams – Guruzeta.
Head-to-Head: Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao
In the last six encounters, each team has won twice.
Prediction for Osasuna vs Athletic Bilbao
A victory for the visitors is expected, though it may come through a rather dull game. However, given that both teams score regularly, we recommend betting on “Over 2.0 goals” (odds – 1.72).
Place your bets on the upcoming match and keep track of your team's performance in the La Liga standings.