Osasuna vs Athletic Club predictions and match preview for Thursday’s LaLiga fixture. Read on for analysis, team news and predicted lineups as two local rivals meet in Pamplona.
| Date | Thursday 25th May 2023 |
| Kick-Off | 21:30 (CEST) |
| Stadium | El Sadar |
| Competition | LaLiga |
Osasuna vs Athletic Club Preview
We have a rerun of the Copa del Rey Semi-Final to round off matchday 36 in LaLiga 2022/23. It’s an important game too with both Osasuna and Athletic Club targeting 7th place and a chance to play in Europe next term.
Osasuna have already done plenty of damage to Athletic this season with their late win at San Mames in Extra Time of the Semi-Final 2nd Leg securing their trip to Seville at the expense of their local rivals. Jagoba Arrasate’s men went on to lose that Final 2-1 to Real Madrid but they responded really well with a 3-1 victory over Almeria in their subsequent outing at El Sadar.
Heading into this matchday, Osasuna trail Athletic Club by 3 points but a win here would erase that deficit and also give them the head-to-head advantage (the sides drew at San Mames earlier this term). That could prove significant in the final reckoning but anything less than a win may leave Osasuna with too much to do given the likes of Girona and Sevilla are also fighting hard for 7th.
As for Athletic, there is a bit more pressure on them to go on and get that Conference League position. They are obviously the bigger club and having spent much of the season in the top six or seven, they’d be really disappointed to ultimately miss out on a place in Europe. Bringing continental action back to this part of the Basque Country may also make it easier for them to hold onto promising youngsters such as Nico Williams who could attract Premier League interest this summer.
Truth be told, Athletic haven’t been particularly convincing in 2023, but they did claim an important three points at the weekend. Goals from Inaki Williams and Alex Berenguer saw off Celta 2-1. With a home game against bottom club Elche and tough trip to Real Madrid to come, they may be banking on three points from their final two games so this really could be the fixture which determines their ultimate fate in terms of playing in Europe next year.
Team News & Possible Lineups
Osasuna
| INJURED | Brasanac, Vidal |
| DOUBTFUL | Moi Gomez |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Aitor – Cruz, David Garcia, Unai Garcia, Pena – Ibanez, Torro, Oroz – Abde, Kike Garcia, Chimy (4-3-3)
Coach: Jagoba Arrasate
Athletic Club
| INJURED | Morcillo, Yeray, Inigo Martinez, Dani Garcia, Herrera |
| DOUBTFUL | |
| BANNED |
Possible XI: Simon – Yuri, Paredes, Vivian, De Marcos – Sancet, Vesga, Muniain – Berenguer, I. Williams, N. Williams (4-3-3)
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
Score Prediction: Osasuna 1-0 Athletic Club
It’s almost always tight and competitive whenever these two local rivals meet. There hasn’t been much to separate them on the pitch this season as both the league table and competitive nature of their cup tie demonstrates. However there is perhaps a bit more of a feel good factor surrounding Osasuna right now and if they can match the performance from their last home game, they stand every chance of edging this.
PLEASE NOTE – Our LaLiga predictions and previews are not betting tips! No profits are guaranteed if you’re using them to bet on Spanish football. If you are gambling, do so responsibly and never stake more than you can afford to lose. BeGambleAware.
