Osasuna vs Racing de Santander Preview: Team News, Predicted Lineups and Key Stats. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Expect a high-scoring game as both teams have weak defences and strong forwards. Racing have conceded 23 goals in eight matches, while Osasuna have allowed 18. With prolific scorers like Budimir and Zabiri, multiple goals are likely despite Osasuna's recent poor form.
Both teams have shown ability to score twice but struggle defensively, making a 2-2 draw plausible. Racing’s recent 2-2 with Valencia and Osasuna’s reliance on Budimir support this high-scoring stalemate prediction.
Osasuna welcome Racing de Santander to Estadio El Sadar on Sunday, 18 October, with both sides desperate to create breathing space above the La Liga relegation places.
Osasuna vs Racing de Santander — bet365 Market Snapshot
Swipe through key markets with illustrative probabilities and sample bet365 odds based on our match analysis.
Osasuna and Racing de Santander bring contrasting strengths, leaving this market finely balanced.
Osasuna hold one clear edge, but Racing de Santander still carry enough threat to respond.
Osasuna hold one clear edge, but Racing de Santander still carry enough threat to respond.
Osasuna hold one clear edge, but Racing de Santander still carry enough threat to respond.
Three Punchy Stats
- 23 goals conceded: Racing have the division's more vulnerable defence in this fixture, averaging 2.88 goals conceded per match.
- 13 goals combined: Budimir and Zabiri have scored 13 league goals between them across eight appearances each.
- Six consecutive matches: Racing's last six league fixtures have all produced over 2.5 goals, highlighting their involvement in high-scoring encounters.
Goals Scored in Last 5 Matches
Recent attacking records for Osasuna and Racing de Santander are shown below.
Clean Sheets in Last 5 Matches
Recent defensive records for Osasuna and Racing de Santander are shown below.
Just eight matches into the 2026-27 campaign, the two clubs are separated only by league position. Racing sit 15th, one place above Osasuna, with both collecting eight points from two victories, two draws and four defeats.
Their identical goal differences of minus 10 underline the defensive problems threatening to undermine their seasons. However, with both teams possessing productive centre-forwards, this encounter could offer considerably more attacking quality than their positions suggest.
Osasuna Searching for a Response After Difficult Run
Jagoba Arrasate's Osasuna began the campaign encouragingly, collecting seven points from their opening three fixtures. Victories over Celta Vigo and Getafe followed an opening draw against Levante, suggesting Los Rojillos could establish themselves comfortably in mid-table.
That early optimism has faded dramatically.
Osasuna have collected just one point from their subsequent five matches, with a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano their only positive result during that sequence.
Defensive vulnerability has become particularly damaging. Heavy defeats against Alaves, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis have exposed a back line struggling to contain opponents once matches become stretched.
Last weekend's 5-2 defeat against Betis was another setback, despite goals from Ante Budimir and Raul Garcia.
Osasuna have conceded 18 goals in eight league matches while scoring only eight, leaving Arrasate needing greater defensive discipline without sacrificing attacking effectiveness.
Home advantage could prove important, particularly against visitors experiencing similar difficulties at the back.
Racing's Attacking Threat Comes With Defensive Risks
Racing de Santander returned to La Liga as reigning Segunda Division champions, ending an absence from the top flight dating back to 2011-12.
Jose Alberto's side have shown enough attacking ambition to suggest they can compete, but maintaining defensive organisation remains their biggest challenge.
Racing have scored 13 league goals, five more than Sunday's opponents, yet conceded 23 across their opening eight fixtures.
Successive defeats against Barcelona and Celta Vigo were particularly damaging, with Racing conceding 12 goals without reply across those encounters.
Their latest outing offered encouragement, however, as a 2-2 draw against Valencia demonstrated greater attacking resilience.
Yassir Zabiri and Ivan Martin scored against Valencia, while Racing registered 11 shots on target and enjoyed 54% possession.
Those figures highlight their ability to create opportunities, although their defensive record suggests that controlling matches remains difficult.
Racing also have an encouraging historical record against Osasuna, winning 34 of their previous 75 meetings compared with 25 victories for Sunday's hosts.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Osasuna will be without Aimar Oroz, Jorge Herrando and Romain Del Castillo through injury, while Kike Barja and Raul Moro face fitness assessments.
Budimir remains their principal attacking weapon, having scored six goals in eight league appearances.
The experienced striker's finishing ability could prove decisive against Racing's vulnerable defence, particularly with Ruben Garcia expected to provide support from a wide position.
Racing have fewer reported selection concerns, although Simon Eriksson remains doubtful because of a shoulder problem.
Zabiri has been outstanding individually, scoring seven goals in eight appearances, while Sergio Canales provides experience and creativity behind the striker.
Inigo Vicente's five assists across Racing's previous 10 league matches further underline the visitors' attacking potential.
Osasuna predicted XI: Herrera; Rosier, Catena, Boyomo, Bretones; Ruben Garcia, Moncayola, Torro, Moi Gomez; Budimir, Raul Garcia.
Racing predicted XI: Agirrezabala; Mantilla, Ramon, Belocian, Salinas; Prati; Canales, Ivan Martin, Pablo Garcia, Vicente; Zabiri.
Match Outlook
Both managers face a difficult balance between defensive caution and attacking ambition.
Osasuna need to end their winless sequence, while Racing must improve their defensive organisation to convert promising attacking performances into points.
With Budimir and Zabiri in excellent scoring form, both penalty areas could come under sustained pressure.
The visitors' greater attacking output is counterbalanced by their particularly poor defensive record, making this an intriguing contest between two sides seeking stability.
📊 Market Explainer
Total Goals Market
Selection: Over 2.5 Goals. This market is settled by the combined number of goals in normal time. The selected line determines how many goals are needed for the bet to win.
Correct Score Market
Selection: Osasuna vs Racing Santander 2-2. Predict the exact score at the end of 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalties do not count unless the bookmaker states otherwise.
🎯 Pick 1: Over 2.5 Goals @ 4/7
The case for anticipating at least three goals rests on two exceptionally porous defences meeting productive individual forwards. Racing de Santander arrive at Estadio El Sadar having conceded 23 times across their opening eight La Liga fixtures, a defensive return averaging 2.88 goals against per match. That vulnerability guarantees opportunities for the opposition, and Osasuna carry penalty-area presence to exploit those gaps, primarily through Ante Budimir, who has registered six league goals this term.
The likelihood of a high-scoring encounter increases because Osasuna are equally unable to suppress attacking pressure. Jagoba Arrasate’s side have conceded 18 goals over their own eight matches, a sequence including a 5-2 defeat against Real Betis last weekend. When that fragile home defence meets a Racing attack featuring Yassir Zabiri—who has scored seven times in eight appearances—the conditions for multiple goals become clear. Racing’s recent fixtures highlight this pattern perfectly; their last six league matches have all produced over 2.5 goals, including a recent 2-2 draw against Valencia.
The primary risk to this selection lies in Osasuna’s broader team form, having collected just a single point from their last five matches while scoring only eight league goals overall. If the hosts fail to contribute, Racing would need to secure three goals entirely on their own to satisfy the market. However, with both clubs carrying minus-10 goal differences and demonstrating a consistent inability to maintain clean sheets, the combination of defensive frailty and two reliable strikers provides a credible platform for the required three goals.
🎯 Tactical Indicators
- Racing de Santander have seen over 2.5 goals in six consecutive league fixtures.
- The visitors possess the division's most vulnerable defence in this fixture, averaging 2.88 goals conceded per match.
- Osasuna's back line has surrendered 18 goals across their opening eight La Liga matches.
Risk Factor: Osasuna have scored only eight league goals this season, risking insufficient contribution to the total goals.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Scored 13 goals across eight matches, driven by Yassir Zabiri (7 goals) and Inigo Vicente (5 assists).
Conceded 18 times in eight fixtures, struggling heavily to contain opponents once matches become stretched.
⚔️ Pick 2: Osasuna vs Racing Santander 2-2 @ 9/1
Backing a 2-2 draw requires explicit evidence that both sides can score multiple times while failing to secure a victory. For the visitors, Racing de Santander demonstrated their ability to achieve this exact scoreline during their recent 2-2 draw with Valencia. Jose Alberto’s side managed 11 shots on target in that fixture, proving they can create sustained penalty-area pressure. Yassir Zabiri’s return of seven goals, supported by Inigo Vicente’s five recent assists, gives Racing the attacking tools required to score twice against an Osasuna defence that surrendered five goals to Real Betis.
On the other side, Osasuna’s capacity to score twice depends heavily on Ante Budimir. The Croatian striker has six goals in eight appearances, facing a Racing defence that averages 2.88 goals conceded per match. Having shipped 23 goals in eight fixtures, including heavy recent concessions against Barcelona and Celta Vigo, Racing have proven consistently incapable of restricting opponents. With Ruben Garcia supporting from wide areas, the hosts possess the attacking personnel to breach this vulnerable visiting back line on at least two occasions.
The main danger to this exact scoreline stems from the sheer volume of goals Racing can concede; a team capable of allowing 12 goals across two matches could easily surrender three or more, ruining the selection. Furthermore, Osasuna’s broader struggles during their five-match winless run might limit their attacking ceiling. Nevertheless, with both clubs sharing minus-10 goal differences and relying heavily on individual centre-forwards to mask severe defensive deficiencies, a high-scoring draw represents a coherent extension of their seasonal records.
Risk Factor: Racing's recent heavy defeats risk conceding more than two goals, threatening the 2-2 score prediction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Over 2.5 Goals market settle?
It wins if at least three total goals are scored during 90 minutes plus stoppage time.
Do both teams need to score for Over 2.5 Goals to win?
No, the match can finish 3-0 or 0-3 and the bet still wins.
What happens if Racing win 3-2 with a 2-2 correct score bet?
The bet loses because the exact final score must match the selection.
How does the Both Teams To Score market differ?
BTTS requires both sides to score at least once, unlike Over 2.5 Goals.
Why is a high-scoring draw plausible here?
Both teams have minus-10 goal differences and rely on key strikers while conceding often.
Does extra time count towards the 2-2 correct score?
No, only goals scored in 90 minutes plus stoppage time count for correct score bets.
