Osasuna vs Racing Santander: Level on points, one place apart, and a chance to pull clear

Racing Santander arrive in Pamplona sitting 15th, one place above Osasuna, but there is almost nothing between the two clubs. Both have eight points from eight matches and a goal difference of -10. Matchday 9 is the first real chance for either side to build daylight, and the kickoff at Estadio El Sadar is at 15:00 Doha time.

Form: Osasuna’s slump and Racing’s away problem

Osasuna have lost four of their last five league games, and their only point in that run came from a draw. They have scored just five goals in that span while conceding 17. Racing have been only marginally better, winning once in their last five, but their issue is starker: they have not won away all season, losing all four trips while collecting eight points from four home games.

Osasuna’s home record is no more convincing, with one win, two draws and one defeat at El Sadar. Both sides have leaked goals, conceding 18 times in eight matches, so neither has a settled defence to lean on.

Head-to-head: Osasuna hold the edge, but not by much

In their three competitive meetings in the record, Osasuna have won twice. They beat Racing 3-1 in March 2011 and then 4-2 in May 2012, while Racing won 2-0 at El Sadar in January 2012. Their two recent friendlies split evenly, with Osasuna winning 2-0 in July and Racing taking a 1-0 win the previous August.

Team news: Osasuna’s injury list

Osasuna face the bigger absence list. K. Barja, R. Del Castillo, J. Herrando and R. Moro are all out with muscle problems, A. Oroz is sidelined with an injury, and A. Bonel is listed as unavailable. Racing have a single absence to contend with: S. Eriksson, who is out with a shoulder injury.

Our prediction

Osasuna 1-1 Racing Santander. Both defences have been too porous for either side to dominate, and Osasuna’s depleted squad may struggle to create clear chances. Racing’s record on the road points to a difficult afternoon in Pamplona, so a shared point looks the most likely outcome, though a late goal would not be a surprise given that seven of Racing’s conceded goals have come in the final 15 minutes.