Espanyol vs Osasuna Prediction & Betting Tips (31 August)

Espanyol welcome Osasuna to the RCDE Stadium on August 31st in a clash that promises to test early-season ambitions. The Catalan side, under the guidance of Manolo González, have started their LaLiga campaign with a confident stride, notably defeating Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their opener. That result, coupled with a solid preseason featuring wins over Southampton, Union Berlin, and Wolfsburg, suggests a team finding rhythm and resilience. New arrivals like Roberto Fernández from Braga and Tyrhys Dolan from Blackburn have added depth and flair, while captain Javi Puado remains the heartbeat of Espanyol’s attacking transitions.

Osasuna, meanwhile, arrive in Barcelona with a fresh managerial identity under Alessio Lisci, who took charge in late June. The Italian tactician has already made his mark with a gritty 1-0 win over Valencia, showcasing a disciplined backline and a midfield anchored by Lucas Torró and Jon Moncayola. Ante Budimir continues to be the focal point up front, and his aerial prowess could trouble Espanyol’s defense. Though their summer transfer activity was modest—Victor Muñoz and Valentin Rosier being the only additions—their cohesion and tactical clarity have kept them competitive.



In terms of team news, Espanyol will be without Javi Hernández and Iker Benito due to injury, but the rest of the squad is fit and firing. Miguel Rubio, who scored against Atletico, is expected to start in central defense, while Pere Milla and Fernández will likely spearhead the attack. Osasuna, on the other hand, are missing Abel Bretones through suspension and may still be without Benito, but Lisci has shown confidence in his bench, with Rubén García and Aimar Oroz offering creative sparks behind Budimir. Both teams are tactically sound, but Espanyol’s home advantage and attacking depth could tilt the balance.

Expect a tightly contested affair with moments of brilliance from both sides. Espanyol’s recent form and attacking variety give them a slight edge, especially with Puado and Milla linking up in the final third. Osasuna will not go quietly, and Budimir’s presence ensures they’ll find the net. However, the prediction leans toward a 2-1 victory for Espanyol—a scoreline that reflects their growing confidence and the subtle gaps in Osasuna’s transitional play.

• Summary: Espanyol is going head to head with Osasuna starting on 31 Aug 2025 at 17:30 UTC at Livens Jean Louis stadium, Cornella city, Spain. The match is a part of the LaLiga .