Osasuna welcome Athletic Club to Estadio El Sadar for an intriguing Primera División clash on Saturday, 3 January 2026.
This fixture often brings drama—Athletic Club have dominated recent meetings, but both sides are in need of points after inconsistent spells. Osasuna’s defensive resilience will be tested against an Athletic attack that’s failed to convert its chances this term, setting up a contest where both teams have plenty to prove.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on expected goals data, recent head-to-heads, and form, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in a tight, low-scoring affair, given both teams’ struggles to finish chances and their shared clean sheet record.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Teams To Score: No | 8/11 @ Bet365 (57.9%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Both sides lack clinical finishing; combined just 33 goals in 35 games. |
| Athletic Club to Win | 6/4 @ Bet365 (40.0%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Won 6 of last 13 vs Osasuna, better xG and possession stats. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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Season Form & Standings
Both teams have struggled for consistency, with Osasuna sitting 12th and Athletic Club 8th. Osasuna average just a goal per game (17 in 17), while Athletic Club have fared little better (16 in 18), but boast a higher possession rate and pass accuracy. Defensive vulnerabilities are clear—Athletic have conceded 24, Osasuna 20—yet both keepers have delivered five clean sheets each.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Club | 8 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 24 | -8 | 23 |
| Osasuna | 12 | 17 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 17 | 20 | -3 | 18 |
Potential Match-Winners
- Sergio Herrera (Osasuna): 63 saves this season, second only in the league, underlining his importance.
- Nico Williams (Athletic Club): Key attacking outlet with pace and directness, likely to see more of the ball given Athletic’s higher possession stats (49.2%).
- Ante Budimir (Osasuna): Main attacking threat, will need to improve conversion as Osasuna’s xG (22.96) outpaces actual goals (17).
Head-to-Head: Last 10 Meetings
Recent history favours Athletic Club, who have won six of the last 13 meetings. Osasuna have managed three wins, with four draws. Most games have been closely contested, with several low-scoring affairs.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 19/05/25 | Athletic Club 0-0 Osasuna | Primera División |
| 14/12/24 | Osasuna 1-2 Athletic Club | Primera División |
| 25/02/24 | Athletic Club 2-2 Osasuna | Primera División |
| 02/10/23 | Osasuna 0-2 Athletic Club | Primera División |
| 11/03/23 | Osasuna 2-0 Athletic Club | Primera División |
| 08/10/22 | Athletic Club 0-0 Osasuna | Primera División |
| 15/05/22 | Athletic Club 2-0 Osasuna | Primera División |
| 03/01/22 | Osasuna 1-3 Athletic Club | Primera División |
| 10/04/21 | Athletic Club 2-2 Osasuna | Primera División |
| 20/12/20 | Osasuna 1-0 Athletic Club | Primera División |
Conclusion
With both Osasuna and Athletic Club underwhelming in front of goal but boasting solid defensive numbers, this could be another tight encounter. The draw appeals given recent H2H trends and both sides’ finishing woes, but if either attack finally clicks, it may just tip the balance. Will Osasuna finally capitalise on their xG, or will Athletic’s possession edge prove decisive? Our top pick: Athletic Club to win at 6/4 with Bet365 (40% implied probability) looks the solid play here.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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