Athletic Club Bilbao - Osasuna predictions and free betting tips [11/05/2024]

On Saturday, 11th May, as part of the 35th tour of the Spanish Primera, Athletic Bilbao will host Osasuna on their home turf. Ernesto Valverde's team hold fifth place in the league tables, trailing the top four by six points, while the guests rank 13th, concluding the season without any specific goals.

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic's ambitions to participate in next season's Champions League were probably shattered by a 3:1 defeat by their strongest direct rivals - Atletico Madrid - two weeks ago. This fiasco was a real blow for the "Lions", which, after triumphing in the King's Cup over Mallorca, had lost their three tours motivation (1 loss, 2 draws). However, last weekend the Basques made up for lost ground by beating Getafe 0:2 at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. The first-half score was opened by Inaki Williams, after which the Ghanaian netted a brace right after the break. Ernesto Valverde's charges are still six points shy from the top four, meaning the hosts can't afford to stumble tonight. The "Lions" have not finished in the top seven since the 2016-17 campaign, so their current position is already an achievement at this stage of the season. 
It's important to note that Athletic hold the fifth spot on the home-score leaderboard (38 points in 17 home games, 38 goals scored, 16 conceded).

Centre-backs Paredes and Yeray Alvarez were sent off last tour and will serve suspensions; injury-plagued Berchiche, Vivian (30 matches in La Liga), the promising Sanset (4 goals, 5 assists) and Ruiz de Galarreta are also missing from the striped roster. Furthermore, the team's top scorer Garuzeta (14 goals, 5 assists) just underwent an appendectomy. The Williams brothers, Nico (4 goals, 10 assists) and Inaki (11 goals, 3 assists in La Liga), are leading the "Lions" attack and are expected to start, while Benat Prados and Imanol Garciade Albeniz will be fortifying the defence.

Osasuna

Osasuna appears to have been slowing down defender-wise after last year's successful season. They've been struggling at the end of the current championship: having suffered 4 consecutive defeats - from Valencia (0:1), Rayo Vallecano (2:1), Granada (3:0) and last weekend from Betis (0:2) - primarily due to Moncayola's dismissal on the 26th minute. The thrill was killed in the first half with Ayoze Perez and Pablo Fornals scoring for the Cucumbers. In the league table the Reds hold the 13th position and are virtually devoid of tasks for the remaining tours. Moreover, Osasuna hasn't won since late March and will be desperately trying to end the season on a high note as head coach Jagoba Arrasate is preparing to leave his post at the end of the campaign after many years at the helm of the club. 

The guests only occupy the tenth spot in the total points tally amassed outside their home ground (a mere 18 in 17 matches, 20 goals scored, 27 conceded). Moncayola, who was sent off last weekend, will be absent today due to a suspension, as will head coach Arrasate, who also received a red card in the same game. The team's top scorer Ante Budimir (16 goals, 2 assists), along with Kike Barja, David Garcia, midfielder Moi Gomez (3 goals) and Oros (1 goal, 1 assist), aren't participating in the match against Athletic due to injuries. Lucas Torro will likely replace Moncayola this weekend, however, Ruben Penya, Raul Garcia and Ruben Garcia will keep their spots in the starting line-up.

Head-to-Head

In the first-round match in Pamplona, Athletic Bilbao prevailed without conceding a single goal (0:2). Moreover, the visitors have not known victory in the last four away matches at the San Mames.

Match prediction: Athletic - Osasuna

Osasuna is in crisis and forced to make do without its main attacking asset - Budimir, thus a guest success within the walls of San Mames would be a miracle. Athletic still retains chances to finish in the "Champions League Four" but simply can't afford to stumble tonight. The hosts perform quite well on their home field and are sure to please fans with a regular victory.