Elche vs Osasuna Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this La Liga clash. Elche at home to Osasuna. On paper, it's a mid-table scrap with Elche down in 15th and Osasuna sitting a bit prettier in 9th. But the numbers tell a story, and it's one that usually ends with both teams having a good old go at finding the net.

Elche are having a bit of a nightmare lately, if we're being honest. Two wins in their last ten tells you all you need to know. They're shipping goals for fun – 20 conceded in that run, an average of two a game. At home, they're scoring two but also letting in two. Their recent results are a mixed bag: a cracking 4-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, but then losses to the likes of Levante (who are down the bottom) and a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona. The defence just isn't there. They've only kept the opposition out twice in ten games.

Osasuna, on the other hand, are on a decent little run. Unbeaten in their last five, with three wins and two draws. They're not blowing teams away, but they're getting results. They beat a decent Celta Vigo side away, drew with high-flying Villarreal, and put three past Rayo Vallecano on the road. They score goals – 1.7 a game on average – but they're not exactly watertight at the back either, conceding 1.3 per game and managing just one clean sheet in ten.

Now, here's the juicy bit. These two have met nine times, and Elche have NEVER beaten Osasuna. Not once. Osasuna have won three, but the real story is the six draws. More importantly, in eight of those nine meetings, both teams scored. That's a proper trend, that is.

Looking at the recent form, it screams goals at both ends. Elche's last ten games saw both teams score in eight of them. Osasuna's saw it happen in seven. Put simply, when these two play, they both tend to get on the scoresheet. Elche at home are leaky but can score, and Osasuna away are solid enough going forward but can be got at.

The bookies have the odds for Both Teams to Score - Yes at 1.80. Given the history and the current form, that looks like a bit of value to me. The match outcome is a tricky one – Osasuna are in better form and have the psychological edge, but draws are a habit in this fixture. I wouldn't be rushing to back a straight win for either side.

Key Points:

Form: Elche are struggling (2 wins in 10), Osasuna are unbeaten in 5.

Defence: Elche concede an average of 2.0 goals per game. Osasuna concede 1.3 away.

Head-to-Head: Elche have never beaten Osasuna (0 wins, 6 draws, 3 losses).

Goals Trend: Both teams have scored in 8 of the last 9 meetings between these sides.

• Recent Games: 80% of Elche's last 10 games saw Both Teams Score. For Osasuna, it's 70%.

Summary: This has all the makings of an open game where both sides find the net. Elche need to attack at home, but their defence is suspect. Osasuna are in good enough form to score against anyone. The historical data and current stats point strongly towards goals at both ends. The value, in my book, lies with backing Both Teams to Score - Yes.