Osasuna – Betis : Preview & Prediction
Hopes of finishing in the European zone of LaLiga Santander (LL) have been fading for Osasuna, nine points behind the sixth-placed side at the start of Round 30. Los Rojillos’ successful run to reach their second Copa del Rey final, which included a penalty shootout win over Real Betis, has taken its toll on them in league competition – Osasuna have won just two of their last 12 LL matches (G2, E5, P5).
“We leave with the feeling of a missed opportunity,” said Jagoba Arrasate after his team’s 2-1 loss to Rayo Vallecano last matchday. Since February, Osasuna has only picked up three points against Elche, bottom of the table and practically relegated. The poor offensive production has weighed down the Navarre team, with the third lowest scoring record in the current championship (25). With home advantage, only two teams have scored fewer goals than Osasuna (14).
Relieved after overcoming a slump of two consecutive defeats by beating Espanyol 3-1, Betis remains in the fight for the Champions League places. In mourning for the death of Luis Márquez, a Real Márquez player in the 90’s, Manuel Pellegrini’s team is only three points behind Real Sociedad after 29 rounds and faces the visit to a stadium that has been favorable to them in recent times.
Betis travel to El Sadar with an almost unblemished record in their nine previous league matches against Osasuna (G8, E1). Victorious in their last two visits to the Reds’ home ground, they are looking to end a run of three official outings without a win (E1, P2), something for which they may need to score early: Los Verdiblancos have conceded 19 of their 30 goals against in LL this season after the break.
Key battle: Two goals from Abde Ezzalzouli sealed Osasuna’s last win at El Sadar (2-1 Elche). The explosive rojillo winger, on loan from Barça, could be a nightmare for the Verdiblanca defense, but goalkeeper Rui Silva has kept the ball out of the net.
Osasuna – Betis : Betting Tips
Betis – Win Odds: 3.25
