Prediction: Osasuna vs Atletico Madrid

Verdict: Atletico Madrid win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to claim back-to-back La Liga victories on Thursday night, Atletico Madrid will travel to El Sadar when they meet Osasuna.

Osasuna

Starting with the hosts, while Osasuna might have gained a string of plaudits last season as they claimed a seventh-place finish among Spain’s elite, Los Rojillos have struggled to find a similar level this time around. Suffering Europa Conference League qualifying heartbreak at the hands of Club Brugge last month as they fell to a 4-3 aggregate defeat, Jagoba Arrasate’s side are now without a win from their previous four appearances across all competitions. Marking their return from September’s international break with a worrying 3-2 loss against Getafe, the Navarre-based outfit has also mustered just a single win from any of their last seven showdowns – a run that stems back to August 13th. Battling it out in the bottom-half of the La Liga table, Osasuna should face another stern challenge at El Sadar on Thursday night.

Team News

Both still dealing with extended injury issues and yet to make a single appearance this season, Osasuna will once again be without the duo of Darko Brasanac and Unai Garcia. Likewise, suffering from a recent calf injury, Arrasate’s side are still sweating over the fitness of 25-year-old Jon Moncayola.

While former Mallorca striker Ante Budimir might have notched just a single La Liga strike since opening the new campaign, the 32-year-old should spearhead Osasuna’s charge on Thursday night.

Atletico Madrid

As for the visitors, putting in a rampant display last weekend as they claimed a thumping 3-1 victory against bitter local rivals Los Blancos, Atletico Madrid should find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. While Diego Simeone’s men might have marked their return from September’s international break with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Valencia, the former Spanish champions have impressed many since opening the new campaign. With their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine title charge this time around, Atletico will be smelling the chance to lay down another marker here. Likewise, landing a 3-0 romp when they welcomed Osasuna to the capital back on May 21st, Simeone’s men hold a rampant record against Thursday’s hosts. In fact, Los Colchoneros have won each of their previous 10 straight meetings.

Team News

While Dutch international Memphis Depay might have marked his return from injury last weekend, Atletico will still be without the likes of Thomas Lemar, Rodrigo de Paul and ex-Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu. Likewise, Los Colchoneros are still sweating over the fitness of 20-year-old Pablo Barrios.

Bagging a stellar brace against Los Blancos last weekend and now notching five strikes in as many La Liga appearances this season, the red-hot Alvaro Morata will spearhead Simeone’s charge on Thursday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on May 21st, Atletico Madrid stormed their way to a 3-0 romp at the Metropolitano Stadium.
• Likewise, Thursday’s guests have won each of their last 10 straight showdowns against Osasuna.
• Los Rojillos have managed to muster just a single win from any of their previous seven appearances across all competitions.
• Including a brace against Real Madrid last weekend, Alvaro Morata has bagged five goals in as many La Liga appearances this season.
• Atletico have kept a clean sheet in each of their previous four La Liga meetings against Osasuna.

Conclusion

Breezing their way to that stunning 3-1 romp against Los Blancos last weekend, Atletico Madrid will be desperate to lay down another marker here. Meeting an Osasuna squad that have claimed just a single win from their previous seven appearances across all competitions, Simeone’s men will also be excited by a rampant record against Thursday’s hosts. Landing a 3-0 win when they welcomed Los Rojillos to the Spanish capital back on May 21st, Atletico have won each of their last 10 straight showdowns against the midweek hosts. Likewise, winning their previous five trips to El Sadar by an aggregate score of 15-1, we are expecting a similar away victory here.

Verdict: Atletico Madrid win

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Luckster