On Saturday night, Osasuna and Villarreal clash at El Sadar on the final day of La Liga season 2023/24.
Osasuna have had a rollercoaster campaignThe team from Pamplona have enjoyed plenty of ups and downs this season in the Spanish top flight. Arrasate’s team is currently in 11th place in La Liga, and the highest position they can reach is 10th.
Despite a three-game unbeaten run, Osasuna ended a six-match winless streak last time out by recording a sensational 4-1 win at Atletico Madrid.
The game at the Metropolitano was another high-scoring encounter for the home team in La Liga, as six of their last nine matches in the Spanish top-flight have produced over 2.5 goals.
Osasuna may just have been able to mount a realistic European challenge if it were not for a poor recent run of home form. They are currently winless in four Liga games at El Sadar, having picked up just one draw and suffered three defeats.
Their recent home games in La Liga have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their previous six games.
Villarreal’s end-of-season surge too late for European qualificationThe Yellow Submarine’s end-of-season form has been strong. A 4-4 home draw with Real Madrid means that Marcelino’s team has lost just one of their previous seven Liga games. They have also won four of their last six matches in the Spanish top flight.
Despite a respectable end to the season, the visitors are in eighth place in the table and cannot qualify for Europe for next season.
A big part of Villarreal’s recent good form in La Liga has been their attacking play, as the visitors have scored at least two goals in five of their last six outings.
They also have a decent away record, winning five of the last eight La Liga games on their travels.
What am I backing?With very little but pride to play for, both teams may play with more freedom. I expect a relatively entertaining and high-scoring encounter, so I am backing over 2.5 goals scored.
