Valladolid vs Osasuna Predictions

This Sunday’s tea-time offering in La Liga comes from Estadio Jose Zorrilla, as Valladolid entertain 2018/19 Segunda winners Osasuna. These sides are amongst the favourites for relegation this term, but both have shown in the opening weeks of the campaign that they may be capable of much loftier finishes.

Osasuna waltzed their way to the Segunda title last term, securing the championship by an eight point margin after averaging over two points per game and winning all but two of their home matches.

And the confidence gained from being promoted in such convincing fashion has shone through Jagoba Arrasate’s side so far in their opening three La Liga fixtures. Los Rojillos are unbeaten in 6^th place going into this weekend’s contest following a 0-1 success at Leganes on Matchday 1 and subsequent home draws against Eibar (0-0) and Barcelona (2-2).

Osasuna’s display last time out against the reigning champions was by far their most impressive since returning to the top flight and they fully deserved to share the spoils at El Sadar after creating several chances and troubling Ernesto Valverde’s side throughout.

A double salvo from Roberto Torres sealed a precious point and Osasuna will be in great spirits going into this weekend’s clash with such a massive result under their belt.

Valladolid have also enjoyed some tremendous results though in the first month of the season, after beating Real Betis 1-2 at Benito Villamarin on the opening night and then holding Real Madrid to a terrific 1-1 draw at Santiago Bernabeu.

Things fell flat for Pucela last time out as they went down 2-0 at Levante, but a four point haul represents a more than satisfactory start to the season for Sergio’s side considering the opposition they have faced.

Valladolid turn out for their first home game of the season this weekend, but that’s not necessarily a bonus for them as they have won just two of their last nine at Estadio Jose Zorrilla (D3, L4). Pucela won just five and lost nine of their 19 home fixtures in total last term, a record which makes their odds of around evens for Sunday’s encounter seem pretty skinny.

Osasuna were far from infallible on the road in 2018/19 having lost seven of their 21 away starts, but Jagoba Arrasate has clearly improved his squad over the summer. Los Rojillos have indicated so far that they are capable of being more than a bottom third outfit, and that notion is strengthened by the positive results posted by Granada who were a distant second to them last season.

Valladolid can’t be criticised too much for the start they have made, but we have to side with Osasuna in this one based on their results to date and the host’s poor record at Jose Zorrilla. It’s also worth noting that Valladolid have failed to beat Osasuna in their last seven home La Liga game against Los Rojillos – a run stretching back to 2002.

There probably won’t be much between the sides in this one hence the recommended small stakes, but Osasuna are fancied to edge matters via a 0-1 scoreline to post their third clean sheet in four La Liga matches.