Osasuna vs Villarreal Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, Saturday, 31 January

On Saturday, 31 January, LaLiga action unfolds at Estadio El Sadar as Osasuna take on Villarreal. This encounter promises to be a captivating fixture in the Spanish top flight, with both teams eager to secure crucial points. Osasuna, playing at home, will look to leverage their familiarity with Estadio El Sadar to gain an edge over their opponents.

Villarreal, known for their attacking prowess, will be aiming to outmanoeuvre Osasuna and climb the league standings. As both teams vie for dominance, this match could have significant implications for their respective positions in LaLiga. With the stakes high, fans and bettors alike will be keenly watching to see which side emerges victorious in this intriguing clash.

Osasuna vs Villarreal Prediction & Betting Tip

Betting Tip	Odds
Over 2.5 goals in the first half	7

Considering Osasuna’s aggressive home starts and Villarreal’s counter-attacking prowess, we recommend betting on over 2.5 goals in the first half. Both teams have shown tendencies to score early, making this a plausible scenario.

• Osasuna have scored in 100% of their home matches this season, often starting strong.
• Villarreal have scored in 80% of their matches, and their counter-attacks can exploit Osasuna’s high press.
• If the game opens up early with a goal, it could lead to multiple first-half goals given both teams’ offensive capabilities.

Betting Odds

In this LaLiga clash, Osasuna are slight underdogs in the betting odds, with a win priced at 2.83. Villarreal, on the other hand, are narrow favourites at 2.46, reflecting their stronger form coming into this match. The draw is also an enticing option at 3.32, suggesting a closely contested affair at Estadio El Sadar.

Betting Tip	Odds
Osasuna to win	2.83
Draw	3.32
Villarreal to win	2.46

For those looking at goal markets, both teams have shown a tendency to find the net, making the over 2.5 goals market and both teams to score bets worth considering. Keep an eye on Villarreal’s attacking prowess, which could tip the scales in their favour.

Osasuna Analysis & Past Performance

Osasuna currently hold a mid-table position in LaLiga, sitting 9th with 25 points. Their recent form has been relatively promising, with a record of three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five league matches. Notably, they secured a decisive 3-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano, showcasing their attacking prowess.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Rayo Vallecano	Osasuna	1 – 3 (Win)	LaLiga	24 Jan 2026
Osasuna	Real Oviedo	3 – 2 (Win)	LaLiga	17 Jan 2026
Real Sociedad	Osasuna	N/A	Copa del Rey	13 Jan 2026
Girona	Osasuna	1 – 0 (Loss)	LaLiga	10 Jan 2026
Osasuna	Athletic Club	1 – 1 (Draw)	LaLiga	3 Jan 2026

Recent Form:

• WWLLD

Osasuna’s attack has been particularly effective, with an average of 2.40 goals scored per game over their last five matches. However, defensively, they have struggled to maintain stability, conceding 2.20 goals on average per game and failing to keep a clean sheet in this period. Their home form remains strong, with a win ratio of 60%, illustrating their ability to leverage home advantage effectively.

Osasuna Suspensions & Injuries

Osasuna face some challenges heading into their match against Villarreal, primarily due to the injuries of Iker Benito and Sheraldo Becker. Benito’s cruciate ligament injury rules him out for the season, which is a significant blow to the team’s depth, particularly in attack. Becker is dealing with gastrointestinal discomfort, but he is expected to return in a few days, suggesting minimal long-term impact on the squad.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Iker Benito	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Sheraldo Becker	Gastrointestinal discomfort	Few days
Aimar Oroz	Leg injury	Doubtful

Aimar Oroz is listed as doubtful with a leg injury, raising concerns about his availability. However, his presence in the starting lineup indicates that he may be able to feature, although potentially not at full fitness. His creative influence in midfield is crucial for Osasuna’s attacking transitions, and his absence would necessitate tactical adjustments, potentially involving Rubén García or Jon Moncayola in more advanced roles.

The absence of these players, particularly Benito, may force coach Alessio Lisci to rely more heavily on his starting eleven, with limited options for rotation or impact substitutions. This could affect Osasuna’s tactical flexibility and stamina against Villarreal, potentially influencing betting markets that may favour a Villarreal side with fewer injury concerns.

Osasuna Key Players

Osasuna’s attacking prowess will be spearheaded by their top scorer, Ante Budimir, who has netted 9 goals this season. Budimir’s robust presence in the forward line is pivotal for Osasuna, as he often capitalises on aerial duels and delivers clinical finishes inside the box. His ability to hold up play and bring teammates into the attack makes him a constant threat to Villarreal’s defence.

In midfield, Rubén García stands out as a playmaker, offering creativity and vision that could unlock Villarreal’s defence. Jon Moncayola provides a balance of defensive solidity and ball distribution, crucial for maintaining possession and transitioning into attack. Defensively, Flavien Boyomo and Javi Galán are expected to form a resilient partnership, tasked with nullifying Villarreal’s offensive threats. Boyomo’s physicality and Galán’s positional awareness are key strengths in Osasuna’s backline.

Expected lineup for Osasuna:

• Goalkeeper: Sergio Herrera
• Defence: Flavien Boyomo, Javi Galán, Jorge Herrando, Valentin Rosier
• Midfield: Iker Muñoz, Victor Muñoz, Rubén García, Jon Moncayola, Aimar Oroz
• Forward: Ante Budimir

Osasuna Tactics and Formation

Osasuna Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Key Forward: Ante Budimir
• Midfield Pivot: Iker Muñoz and Victor Muñoz
• Defensive Strength: Consistency in the backline but only one clean sheet in the last five games.
• Notable Strategy: Strong in aerial duels and effective in set-pieces.

Osasuna’s 4-2-3-1 formation is structured to provide balance between attack and defence. The midfield duo of Iker Muñoz and Victor Muñoz offers both defensive coverage and forward momentum. The presence of Rubén García and Jon Moncayola as attacking midfielders adds creativity and support to Ante Budimir, who is pivotal in their offensive play.

Defensively, the backline comprising Flavien Boyomo, Javi Galán, Jorge Herrando, and Valentin Rosier has been consistent, though the team has managed just one clean sheet in recent matches. The defensive unit relies on its ability to win aerial duels and maintain compactness.

Offensively, Osasuna often capitalise on set-pieces and crosses, leveraging Budimir’s aerial prowess. Despite recent defensive lapses, their ability to score consistently, as seen in their 3-1 win over Rayo Vallecano, underscores their attacking potential.

Villarreal Analysis & Past Performance

Villarreal’s recent form has been challenging, suffering four consecutive losses across all competitions. Their recent matches have seen them struggle defensively, conceding a total of 10 goals and scoring only 4 in their last five outings.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Bayer Leverkusen	Villarreal	3 – 0 (Defeat)	Champions League	28 Jan 2026
Villarreal	Real Madrid	0 – 2 (Defeat)	LaLiga	24 Jan 2026
Villarreal	Ajax	1 – 2 (Defeat)	Champions League	20 Jan 2026
Real Betis	Villarreal	2 – 0 (Defeat)	LaLiga	17 Jan 2026
Villarreal	Deportivo Alavés	3 – 1 (Victory)	LaLiga	10 Jan 2026

Recent Form:

• LLLLW

Villarreal’s attacking prowess has diminished, with an average of just 0.80 goals per game in their last five matches. Defensively, they have failed to keep a single clean sheet, conceding an average of 2.00 goals per game. Their away form shows slightly better resilience, with 2 wins out of the last 5 away games, resulting in a win ratio of 0.40 away from home.

Villarreal Suspensions & Injuries

Villarreal face several significant injuries as they head into this match against Osasuna. Key players like Juan Foyth and Pau Cabanes are sidelined with long-term cruciate ligament injuries, which impacts the defensive stability of the team. Ayoze Pérez, who is out with a muscle injury until mid-February, would have been a valuable option in attack. The absence of Juan Foyth, in particular, necessitates a reshuffle in defence, potentially affecting their backline’s experience and reliability.

With Alfonso González expected to return in early February, Villarreal will miss his presence in midfield against Osasuna. His thigh injury leaves a gap that needs to be filled by the likes of Pape Gueye, who will need to step up and offer creativity and control in the centre of the park. The depth of the squad is tested under these circumstances, pushing other midfielders like Dani Parejo to take on more responsibility.

Player	Injury	Expected Return
Willy Kambwala	Ligament injury	Unknown
Pau Cabanes	Cruciate ligament injury	Early April 2026
Alfonso González	Thigh injury	Early February 2026
Juan Foyth	Cruciate ligament injury	Out for season
Ayoze Pérez	Muscle injury	Mid February 2026

The tactical impact of these injuries means Villarreal might lean on a slightly more conservative approach, especially in defence. The likes of Renato Veiga and Rafa Marín will need to be on top of their game to compensate for the absence of Foyth. Up front, Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze will be crucial in ensuring Villarreal maintain their attacking threat despite the missing firepower.

From a betting perspective, these injuries could tilt the odds slightly in favour of Osasuna, as Villarreal’s defensive vulnerabilities might be exposed. However, Villarreal’s attacking prowess should not be underestimated, as they still possess significant quality in their forward line capable of turning the game in their favour.

Villarreal Key Players

Villarreal’s attacking prowess will rely heavily on Alberto Moleiro, the team’s top scorer with 8 goals this season. Operating from midfield, Moleiro’s ability to break forward and find the back of the net makes him a constant threat. His vision and technical skill not only bolster the midfield but also create opportunities for forwards like Gerard Moreno, whose experience and finishing ability are critical in the final third.

Gerard Moreno is expected to lead the line alongside Georges Mikautadze, offering a combination of experience and youthful exuberance that can unsettle Osasuna’s defence. In midfield, Dani Parejo’s playmaking skills are indispensable, providing the creative spark and dictating the tempo of the game. Defensively, the presence of Rafa Marín and Alfonso Pedraza adds solidity and resilience, crucial for maintaining a firm backline against Osasuna’s attacks.

Expected lineup for Villarreal:

• Goalkeeper: Luiz Júnior
• Defence: Pau Navarro, Rafa Marín, Renato Veiga, Alfonso Pedraza
• Midfield: Tajon Buchanan, Pape Gueye, Dani Parejo, Alberto Moleiro
• Forward: Gerard Moreno, Georges Mikautadze

Villarreal Tactics and Formation

Villarreal Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: 4-4-2
• Key Forward: Gerard Moreno
• Midfield Pivot: Pape Gueye and Dani Parejo
• Defensive Strength: Struggled defensively with no clean sheets in recent matches.
• Notable Strategy: Emphasis on wing play and crossing.

Villarreal’s 4-4-2 formation under Marcelino García is structured to provide balance across the pitch. The midfield pairing of Pape Gueye and Dani Parejo is vital for both defensive coverage and initiating attacks. Parejo’s experience and vision are crucial in linking defence with forwards Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze.

Defensively, Villarreal have struggled, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last five games. The backline, featuring Pau Navarro and Rafa Marín, needs to tighten up, especially after conceding three goals against Bayer Leverkusen in their previous outing.

Offensively, Villarreal focus on wing play, utilising the pace and crossing ability of Tajon Buchanan and Alberto Moleiro. This strategy aims to create scoring opportunities by delivering quality balls into the box for their strikers.

Osasuna vs Villarreal Head-to-Head Record

In the head-to-head record between Osasuna and Villarreal, the Yellow Submarine hold the upper hand with 20 wins compared to Osasuna’s 13, alongside 9 draws. The last encounter saw Villarreal edge out a 2-1 victory at home in LaLiga, continuing their recent dominance.

When Osasuna hosted Villarreal last, the match ended in a 2-2 draw back in November 2024. Osasuna will be keen to leverage their home advantage at Estadio El Sadar to improve their head-to-head record against a formidable Villarreal side.

Home Team	Away Team	Result	Competition	Date
Villarreal	Osasuna	2 – 1	LaLiga	2025-09-20
Villarreal	Osasuna	4 – 2	LaLiga	2025-05-03
Osasuna	Villarreal	2 – 2	LaLiga	2024-11-24
Osasuna	Villarreal	1 – 1	LaLiga	2024-05-25
Villarreal	Osasuna	3 – 1	LaLiga	2023-11-26