Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao to play out a Full Time Draw

January 2, 2022

Osasuna will host Athletic Bilbao on Monday night in La Liga as the two Spanish rivals seek to move into the top ten.

The home side are 13th in La Liga ahead of Monday night’s match . They are winless in six straight matches and sinking down the table. Seven points separate Osasuna and the relegation zone in the La Liga table.

Athletic Bilbao are 10th in the La Liga standings ahead of Monday’s clash. They are also on a poor run of form in La Liga. The Lions have won just once in their last six matches in the Spanish top flight. Nine points separate Athletic Bilbao from the relegation zone.

Just five points separate Athletic Bilbao from La Liga’s top five. The Lions ability to fight for European qualification and relegation, depending on results over the next few games, shows the quality of La Liga outside the top three.

Monday’s match is the first meeting between Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna this season. In 2020-21, Osasuna won at El Sadar Stadium 1-0. The teams played out a 2-2 draw at San Mames in the reverse fixture.

Since 2016, Osasuna and Athletic Bilbao have met six times in La Liga. Their series of matches have been cut right down the middle with Athletic Bilbao winning two, Osasuna winning two, and the teams drawing twice.

Osasuna go into the fixture with the league’s third-worst home points total. Just eight points from 27 points possible have been taken from El Sadar. They are –6 in goals at home.

Athletic Bilbao have lost just once one the road in 2021-22 La Liga play. However, they have won just once. The Lions have posted a record of 1W-7D-1L away from San Mames. Five of their last six away games finished as draws.

Despite a long list of positive COVID-19 tests at San Mames, this game will not be postponed. Eight players tested positive for COVID-19 over Christmas and each of those players could miss out for Athletic.

In addition, Asier Villalibre, Peru Nolaskoain, Yuri Berchiche, and Daniel Vivian are all doubts due to various injuries.

Osasuna had seven players tested positive for coronavirus. Each of those members of the squad could miss the fixture on Monday. In addition, Aridane Hernandez and Jesus Areso are both likely to miss out through injuries.

Last time out, these teams drew at San Mames. With the combination of missing players, the return from the holiday break, and Athletic Bilbao’s penchant to draw games on the road, this match will end with Full Time Draw