LaLiga – Match-day 8: Osasuna v Valencia

Friday LaLiga action from the Estadio El Sadar, as Osasuna take on Valencia.

This clash sees ninth play sixth, as struggling Valencia visit the Estadio El Sadar to face Osasuna.

Osasuna’s campaign so far has seen them accrue 13 points this season

Losing home to Getafe 0-2, which followed them drawing away to R Madrid 1-1, this is a worrying run of form for Osasuna Manager Jagoba Arrasate, who goes into this fixture, knowing that only a positive result will be good enough.

Also, Osasuna keep finding ways to win, having secured four victories in their last seven fixtures is astonishing this season. Now they have 4 matches won, 2 games lost and 1 duels drawn; that’s why they currently sit in sixth place, with a total of 13 points having won four matches, drawn one game, and lost two games.

When Osasuna host Valencia, they will do so on the back of three victories and one losses on their own ground.

A win in this fixture would take Osasuna’s points to 16 in the League.

A solid defensive team

Defence begins with attack and Osasuna have defended well as a team, borne out by conceding six goals in their previous games. Every player has contributed to them delivering a solid defensive display this LaLiga season. The number of goals that a team scores can sometimes give a misleading impression of performance. Osasuna have found the net eight times (5 from open play and three penalties), but their performance at times this season has been average. This is largely down to the efforts of their stand-out attackers – Ezequiel Avila (3), Kike Garcia (2), and Aimar Oroz (2).

Going into Friday’s game, Jagoba Arrasate without one of his players, due to illness or injury.

Valencia have 10 points to their name, going into this tie

Valencia will be hoping for a win, following a disappointing 2-2 away draw against Espanyol in their last game.

Also, league success is all about winning football matches, any way you can, so three losses in six matches would not make this a successful season for Valencia. With a ninth position in the league and 3 wins, 3 losses and 1 draws, they currently have 10 points in the League having won three games, drawn one game, and lost three fixtures.

Valencia have drawn one game and lost two games of their three League matches playing away this season.

Winning this fixture will see Valencia on 13 points.

Good Attacking Performance

This has been a good season so far for Valencia, in terms of goals scored (12). This is largely down to the efforts of their stand-out attackers – Samu Castillejo (2), Nicolas Gonzalez (2), and Lato Toni (1). Valencia have conceded seven goals.

It is likely that three key players will miss Friday’s fixture, which is something of a concern for Gennaro Gattuso and his Valencia team.

Osasuna v Valencia – Head-to-Head.

Regarding their historical duels the recent form between these two sides has seen Valencia with a greater number of wins. In the last 42 meetings, they have enjoyed 22 wins, to Osasuna’s eight victories. In addition, the last 17 fixtures against Valencia have resulted in nine wins for Osasuna. The last time both teams met in this competition Valencia delivered a 1-2 away win.

three goals