Villarreal — Osasuna : Match Preview and Prediction for September 20,2025

Villarreal’s Recent Performance and European Challenge

Villarreal has experienced a less than successful week, although Marcelino’s team displayed far from hopeless quality in both of their lost matches. First, in Madrid, the “Yellow Submarine” fell 0-2 to Atletico. During this game, despite creating just as many scoring opportunities as their opponents, Pepe, Mikautadze, and company were let down by their finishing.

Squad Adjustments and Upcoming Fixture

Their Champions League return after a several-year hiatus in London against Tottenham started with a blunder from goalkeeper Junior. A single goal was conceded, and while Pepe and his Georgian teammate had a couple of good chances to level the score, they failed to convert. Scoring zero goals after the international break is a worrying sign, but it’s important to understand that the hosts currently have a new attacking lineup, and processes are still being fine-tuned for greater future efficiency. After their trip to London, they now face the Pamplona side at home in the league. For this match, Cabanyes, Kambwala, Costa, and Moreno will be unavailable due to injuries.

Osasuna’s Strong Start and Away Challenges

Young Italian coach Alessio Lischi’s team looks quite solid at the start of the championship, winning every home match while losing minimally away (0-1 to Espanyol and Madrid). At home, Budimir and company have already managed to beat Valencia 1-0, and in the last round, they were stronger than Rayo Vallecano, scoring a goal in each half against their Madrid suburb rivals.

Tactical Approach and Defensive Solidity

The Italian is the team’s new coach, successfully filling in for Vicente Moreno, who departed for lucrative opportunities in the East. Lischi maintains Moreno’s principles: a compact defensive game, plenty of challenges, targeted pressing in their own half, and a reliable defense. The Pamplona side has yet to concede more than one goal per game this season. Gomez and Oroz will miss this match due to injuries.