Osasuna vs Almería Prediction & Betting Tips - LaLiga

Prediction published on 02/01/2024, 08:15  by Devesh Jaganath in LaLiga Predictions

Osasuna will take on Almeria at Estadio El Sadar in La Liga on Thursday evening. The hosts are currently in 12th place after 18 matches, while the visitors are at the bottom of the league standings. Osasuna have experienced a notable downturn from the seventh-placed finish they managed last season. They have taken just 19 points from the first 18 games this term, with a record of five wins, four draws and nine losses. That leaves them 12 points behind the European qualification places and six above the relegation zone heading into 2024. Los Rojillos were beaten 3-2 in their final match of 2023 by Mallorca and have only won one of their last eight league games while drawing three and losing four. Notably, the hosts have struggled in defence, conceding 29 goals already this term, which is the fourth-worst record in the top flight. At home this season, Osasuna have secured nine points from a possible 24 but are unbeaten in their last three (W1 D2 L0). They won the last match between these sides 3-1 and are the favourites in this one. 

Meanwhile, after avoiding the drop by a single point last term, Almeria look destined to battle relegation again this season unless they can find some form in the second half of the campaign. They are currently languishing at the bottom of the league standings with just five points after 18 league matches and are already ten points behind Cadiz, who are the first side above the dotted line. The Rojiblancos are the only side in the Spanish top flight that are yet to win a single league match this term, with all five of their points coming by way of drawn results. Unsurprisingly, they currently hold the worst defensive record in La Liga, with 42 goals conceded to date, while they have scored just 19 in return. Almeria have lost eight in a row on the road this season and have failed to win any of the last seven against this opponent dating back to September 2015.