On May 3, 2025, football fans will turn their attention to Estadio de la Ceramica as Villarreal hosts Osasuna in a high-stakes La Liga encounter. With kickoff scheduled for 19:15 local time, both teams have significant European ambitions on the line as the season approaches its climax.
The 'Yellow Submarine' continues their pursuit of Champions League football, a quest made somewhat easier by Spain's allocation of five spots in next season's elite competition. Currently holding fifth position, Marcelino's men are unlikely to climb higher but face pressure from Real Betis, who trail by just a single point. Villarreal's offensive prowess has been remarkable this season, with 56 goals in 33 matches – a tally surpassed only by Barcelona and Real Madrid. However, their defensive record raises concerns, having conceded 45 goals. The hosts will have to manage without several key players as Raúl Albiol, Gerard Moreno, Alex Baena, and Ilias Akhomach remain sidelined through injuries.
Meanwhile, Osasuna occupies eighth place, which would secure Conference League qualification, but they harbor ambitions for Europa League participation. Vicente Moreno's squad sits just two points behind sixth-placed Celta Vigo and enters this fixture in impressive form, unbeaten in their last five matches with three consecutive victories against Girona (2-1), Valladolid (3-2), and Sevilla (1-0). Despite this momentum, the 'Reds' have struggled against stronger opposition this season and suffered from inconsistency – before their current winning streak, they had gone winless since early February.
According to Statbet analysis, Villarreal's home advantage could prove decisive in this contest, with their attacking capabilities likely to test Osasuna's defensive resilience throughout the 90 minutes.
The historical context favors the home side, with Villarreal undefeated in their last five encounters against Osasuna, recording three victories and two draws. Interestingly, the two most recent meetings between these clubs ended in stalemates.
With home advantage, superior consistency, and the urgent need to secure their Champions League position, Villarreal enters as clear favorites. The passionate support at Estadio de la Ceramica should provide additional motivation as they look to strengthen their grip on fifth place in the closing stages of the season.
