Valencia vs Osasuna: prediction, head-to-head and probable lineups – 01 March 2026
The 26th round of the 2025/26 Spanish La Liga will take place on Sunday, March 1st, at the Mestalla Stadium. In this clash, Valencia hosts Osasuna. As things stand, the teams are in very different psychological states: the “Bats” are fighting for survival, while the Pamplona side is riding high after a stunning victory over Real Madrid.
Match preview
Valencia, under the guidance of Carlos Corberán, is enduring yet another rough patch. The team sits 16th with 26 points, just two away from the relegation zone. February has been a disaster for “Los Che”: three defeats in their last four outings, including a derby loss to Villarreal (1-2) last weekend. Still, at home at the Mestalla, Valencia rarely loses – only three defeats this season. Corberán is striving to steady the ship, but the pressure from the media and fans is mounting with every game.
The squad situation for the hosts remains tense. Due to injuries, key defender Mouctar Diakhaby, José Copete, and Dimitri Foulquier are all ruled out. The main hope up front is winter signing Umar Sadiq, who has a strong record against Osasuna. Valencia desperately needs points in this home fixture to avoid dropping into the bottom three.
Osasuna, led by Alessio Lisci, are enjoying a brilliant spell and sit 9th in the table. The team is unbeaten in six straight matches (four wins, two draws), and last round pulled off the shock of the weekend by beating Real Madrid (2-1). That success has brought the “Rojillos” right into the hunt for European places. Lisci has managed to transform Osasuna’s away form: after failing to win in their first 10 away matches this season, they've recently picked up crucial road wins against Celta and Rayo Vallecano.
The main absentee for the visitors is key midfielder Aimar Oroz, who is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Iker Benito is also out injured. However, veteran Ante Budimir is fit and ready; Valencia is his favorite opponent (eight goal involvements in his career against the “Bats”). Osasuna are full of confidence and will travel to Valencia aiming to capitalize on the hosts’ defensive frailties and insecurity.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Valencia have scored first in six of their last eight matches.
- Over 2 goals have been scored in six of Osasuna’s last seven games.
- Osasuna have led at halftime in four of their last five matches.
- The last ten meetings between these sides have been perfectly balanced: each team has won four times, with two draws.
- The reverse fixture earlier this season ended in a 1-0 win for Osasuna.
Probable lineups
- Valencia: Dimitrievski - Núñez, Cömert, Copete, Luis Gayà - Rodríguez, Ugrinić, Beltrán - Ramazani, Rioja, Sadiq
- Osasuna: Herrera - Rosier, Catena, Herrando, Galán - Moncayola, Torró, García - Moro, Muñoz, Budimir
Prediction
I expect a real chess match at the Mestalla. Valencia, plagued by defensive woes, will play with extreme caution, wary of leaving gaps at the back. Osasuna, meanwhile, could struggle to create clear-cut chances. Given the cagey nature of their recent head-to-heads and the enormous stakes for the home side, a goal fest looks unlikely. My prediction: Under 2.5 goals.
