Prediction: Osasuna vs Real Zaragoza

18th December 2010

Osasuna pulled back from two goals behind to earn a draw at Mestalla last weekend and Jose Camacho’s side hope to build on that result when they host fellow strugglers Zaragoza. Los Manos remained rock bottom having lost at home to Real Madrid and they are hoping to earn at least one more point before the winter break.

Osasuna are by no means impressive this season but they have shown some potential in the first part of the La Liga campaign and are expected to improve their precarious position in the standings. Their showings on the travels remain a problem, seeing los Rojillos picked up just two points from eight away games, but if Jose Camacho’s side continue the good home run, they will have nothing to worry about. Osasuna won four and drew two out of seven home games this season, only losing to mighty Barcelona, proving they are a real force to be reckoned with at their Reyno de Navarra. The team showed a real character last weekend at Mestalla, having earned a rare away point despite being two goals down at half time, with the great showing against Valencia likely to serve as a major confidence boost before this all important clash. Jose Camacho doesn’t have too many selection worries since Camunas and Ruper are the only unavailable players, although Pandiani and Damia are slightly doubtful.

This season has only gone from bad to worse for Zaragoza as los Manos cannot seem to recover from the dismal start of the season and they are now considered main candidates for the drop. Coach Jose Aurelio Gay paid the price for the poor results but the appointment of Javier Aguirre hasn’t had the desired effect as Zaragoza remain tied to the bottom of the standings. Los Manos somehow managed to bring four points from the travels this season and they are unbeaten in last three away games, but everything suggests the trend is about to end. Coach Aguirre is missing a couple of important players, while others are completely out of form, and that can be a big problem against a very good Osasuna side. Lanzaro and Gabi both miss out through suspension, while Sinama-Pongolle and Edmilson will be dropped from the starting line-up due to poor form.

Conclusion

Osasuna are one of the best home sides in La Liga and they are boosted by the impressive showing against Valencia, which should be enough for the win against the weakest side in the league. Zaragoza are in pieces at the moment and will be without several key players, so I cannot see how they will survive the trip to Pamplona.

Verdict: Home win Osasuna (1)

Best Odds: 10/11

Bookmaker: Bet365