Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025-26 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 22
Osasuna v Villarreal
Estadio El Sadar
Pamplona, Spain
Saturday, 31 January 2026
Kick-off is at 17h15
Villarreal will go in search of their first win in three games when they make the journey north to face Osasuna at El Sadar on Saturday, January 31.
The Yellow Submarine enjoyed a stellar opening five months of the season and they went into the new year as unlikely La Liga title contenders after winning 10 of their first 15 matches.
However, Marcelino's side have hit a wobble this month, with a 2-0 reverse to Real Madrid on January 24 seeing them suffer back-to-back defeats for the first time this term and making it three losses in their last five outings.
The Castellon outfit have dropped to fourth in standings, 11 points off the summit and three behind third-placed Atletico Madrid, who have played one game more than them.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Osasuna have climbed into the top half of the table after picking up seven points out of a possible 12 at the start of 2026 following an inconsistent first half of the campaign.
Alessio Lisci's side recorded successive wins for the first time in 2025-26 with a 3-1 triumph over Rayo Vallecano on January 24 and they occupy ninth spot, level with Girona (10th) on 25 points.
Villarreal came from behind to run out 2-1 victors in the reverse fixture at La Ceramica on September 20 courtesy of second-half goals from Georges Mikautadze (69') and Pape Gueye (85') after Ante Budimir's 45th-minute penalty had given the Little Reds the lead.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Marcelino expressed pride in his players for putting up a fight against Los Blancos, but admitted that Lady Luck deserted them as the visitors won by fine margins.
"I am proud of and satisfied with the players' work because the performance was good, but luck is not on our side," he said.
"To beat Madrid or Barcelona, you need to do a lot of things well and also have those fine margins go your way, which is something we are currently lacking. These things come in cycles and right now we are in a negative one.
"We managed to limit Real Madrid to very few chances. We played a good game defensively, both collectively and individually. We are lacking a bit of fortune. Creating very little, they managed to win the match."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Osasuna wins - 0
Villarreal wins - 3
Draws - 2
La Liga Matchday 22 fixtures:
Friday, January 30
22h00: Espanyol v Alaves
Saturday, January 31
15h00: Real Oviedo v Girona
17h15: Osasuna v Villarreal
19h30: Levante v Atletico Madrid
22h00: Elche v Barcelona
Sunday, February 1
15h00: Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano
17h15: Real Betis v Valencia
19h30: Getafe v Celta Vigo
22h00: Athletic Bilbao v Real Sociedad
Monday, February 2
22h00: Real Mallorca v Sevilla
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