Espanyol vs Osasuna Prediction & Betting Tips (14 December)

Without inspiration, without ideas, the defeat on Monday evening of the Pericos in Getafe is worrying since in a decisive meeting for maintenance, at no time did we feel capable of reversing the trend and simply bettering a 1-0 defeat. Now first in relegation, the Catalan club has still lost five of its last six matches in La Liga. Its only victory was written quite strangely at home against Celta Vigo 3-1. Proof that Espanyol is capable of winning against higher ranked teams, but will really have to put in the work to maintain its position, since ultimately, it is only playing that.

Since its defeat at the Bernabéu before the international break in November against Real Madrid 4-0, Osasuna never managed to restart the machine, chaining three points sharing in the elite against Villarreal at home 2-2, in Seville in Pizjuan 1-1, and last weekend, for the reception of Deportivo Alaves 2-2. Vicente Moreno's men were so close to sitting at the table of the top 4 before the correction in the capital, they are now demoted to 7th place, outside the European folding seats. 

For the trip to Getafe on Monday evening, the usual absentees like Gragera, Catala, and Calero remained in Catalonia and will remain in the stands today. On the other hand, in terms of good news, we can note the return from suspension of Kumbulla (holder), conversely the important Jofre (2 goals, 3 PD in the championship), and the right side El Hilali will take his place in the box of players suspended due to too many yellow cards. Author of his first goal in the league against Celta Vigo, Cardona, player of AS Saint-Étienne last year, did not succeed in continuing against Getafe but should be there today, the same for the crucial and very coveted Javi Puado (5 goals in La Liga). Starting midfielder Moncayola will stay warm at home for this game (suspended).

As a bonus, starting winger Bryan Zaragoza (on loan from Bayern Munich) is seriously injured and will not play today, nor will Arnaiz, who is also injured. Scorer for the 10th time this season in 16 appearances in La Liga, Croatian international Ante Budimir is the savior of this team and has scored in every match since the return from the international break in all competitions (5 goals in 4 matches).