Do the Periquitos confirm their upward trend?
After a poor start to the season, which saw them pick up just four points from a possible 18, Espanyol Barcelona are gathering momentum. The Periquitos are currently unbeaten in three league games (one win, two draws) and pulled away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 home win against Valladolid.
Meanwhile, CA Osasuna were unable to confirm their excellent start. After the Rojillos won four of their first five league games, the Basques recently went winless in four consecutive league games (one draw, three defeats). It is all the more surprising that the odds are nevertheless swinging in the direction of the home side in the Osasuna vs Espanyol Barcelona match.
The Rojillos’ role as favourites can possibly be justified by their fundamentally good record against the Catalans. Osasuna have not lost any of their last five games against Espanyol Barcelona (three wins, two draws). Nevertheless, the current form curve of both teams suggests that it could be that time again on Thursday evening.
We see a lot of value in Osasuna vs Espanyol Barcelona in the betting on an away win for the supposed underdogs from Catalonia.
Osasuna – Statistics & current form
Club Atlético Osasuna celebrates its 102nd birthday next Monday and can look back on 40 seasons in the Spanish top flight. The club from Pamplona has never managed to win a major title. Nevertheless, the Rojillos have already caused a sensation.
In the 2006/07 season, for example, the Basques fought their way to the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, where CA Osasuna only lost out to eventual winners Sevilla. Moreover, after four seasons in La Liga 2 most recently (2014 to 2016 and 2017 to 2019), the club is firmly back in La Liga.
Only one point out of a possible twelve from the last four games
After an absolute dream start with four wins from the first five league games, the supporters were even allowed to dream of international competition again. However, the Rojillos have not been able to confirm their strong start.
The Basques picked up only one point out of a possible twelve in their last four league games. This one was a tough one, because Osasuna took just this point from leaders Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. However, the other three games against Getafe, Valencia and Villarreal all ended in defeat.
Won three of the five home games
Consequently, the Rojillos’ momentum has all but evaporated and their credit from the start of the season has been used up. All the more important are the upcoming games, which will decide in which direction the kickers from Pamplona will now go.
The bookmakers are confident of a home win for the Basques, who have won three of their five home games (two defeats) and thus occupy sixth place in the home table.
Predicted line-up of Osasuna:
Herrera – Cruz – D García – U García – Vidal – Brasanac – Torró – Gómez – R García – Ávila – Budimir
Last matches played by Osasuna:
La Liga
18/10/2022 – FC Villarreal 2 – 0 Osasuna Pamplona
08/10/2022 – Osasuna Pamplona 1 – 2 Valencia
03/10/2022 – Real Madrid 1 – 1 Osasuna Pamplona
Club friendlies
22/09/2022 – Real Valladolid 0 – 2 Osasuna Pamplona
La Liga
18/09/2022 – Osasuna Pamplona 0 – 2 Getafe
Espanyol Barcelona – Statistics & current form
RCD Espanyol Barcelona will also be celebrating their foundation day soon. On 28 October, the former founding member of the Primera División will be 122 years old. The Periquitos do not have the most glittering past, but can look back on four overall victories in the Copa del Rey (most recently in 2006).
In addition, the Catalans reached the final of the UEFA Cup twice, in 1988 and 2007, but lost both times. Most recently, RCDE spent a temporary year only in La Liga 2 in the 2020/21 season.
Not lost three in a row after rumbling start
After the direct re-promotion, Espanyol immediately re-established themselves in the highest Spanish division, where they will build on the 14th place of the previous season for the 2022/23 season. In the medium term, the aim is to return to the top half of the table.
At first, however, it looked as if Diego Martínez’s first year in charge could be extremely difficult, as the Blanquiazules experienced a real bumpy start with only four of 18 possible points from the first six league games. Most recently, however, RCDE have gone unbeaten three times in a row (one win, two draws).
Always scored in the last seven league games
Accordingly, the Catalans are now looking upwards again. Adjustments are undoubtedly still necessary in the defence. But at least offensively things are going well for the Periquitos, who have scored without exception in the last seven league games in a row.
Because new signing Joselu is also a real scorer in the ranks of the Blanquiazules (seven goals in nine league games), it makes a lot of sense to bet on an away win for the Catalans at Osasuna against Espanyol Barcelona, who have already picked up five of their nine points in the 2022/23 season away from home.
Predicted line-up of Espanyol Barcelona:
Lecomte – Oliván – Cabrera – Calero – Gil – Souza – Expósito – Darder – Vidal – Puado – Joselu
Last matches played by Espanyol Barcelona:
La Liga
16/10/2022 – Espanyol 1 – 0 Real Valladolid
09/10/2022 – Cadiz 2 – 2 Espanyol
02/10/2022 – Espanyol 2 – 2 Valencia
18/09/2022 – Real Sociedad 2 – 1 Espanyol
10/09/2022 – Espanyol 2 – 3 Sevilla FC
Osasuna – Espanyol Barcelona Direct comparison / H2H record
Head to head: 31 – 17 – 25
There have been a total of 73 meetings between the two sides so far and Osasuna lead the head-to-head comparison with 31 wins. The Basques have not lost any of their last five competitive matches against the Catalans (three wins, two draws).
Osasuna – Espanyol Barcelona tip
For Osasuna against Espanyol Barcelona, the prediction goes in the direction of the visitors despite the recent clear “head to head” comparison. While the Catalans have experienced a clear upswing, have always scored in the last seven league games and are currently undefeated for three games, the Rojillos could not confirm their good start to the season. The Basques picked up just one point out of a possible twelve from their last four games.
With a view to the Catalans’ powerful attack, the away goal is definitely to be trusted to the visitors. And that could be enough to make the difference against a Basque team in poor form.
