When Real Betis line up against CA Osasuna at the Estadio Benito Villamarín on Sunday, September 28, 2025, the La Liga stakes feel oddly personal.
Betis sit ninth with nine points after seven rounds, while Osasuna linger in 13th with just seven. The two‑point gap makes the game a genuine six‑point swing – win, and the Seville club jumps into the top‑seven chase; lose, and they slip back toward the mid‑table shuffle.
The clash, officially listed as Betis vs Osasuna at Seville, promises fireworks. Both sides entered the weekend fatigued after midweek grind – Betis fresh from a 3‑1 win over Real Sociedad, Osasuna coming off a 1‑1 draw at Elche.
Season overview: points, form and fatigue
Betis have been an erratic machine this campaign. Their attack has lit up the league, scoring in 25 consecutive games – a run that stretches back to the tail end of the 2023‑24 season. Yet defensively they’ve conceded in four straight La Liga outings, a worrisome trend that kept them from climbing higher.
In their last ten league matches, Betis have collected just two wins, six draws and two losses. The good news? Their home record remains stout: ten matches unbeaten in 12 at the Benito Villamarín, with seven wins and three draws.
Osasuna, meanwhile, are battling a nightmare on the road. All three away fixtures this season have ended in defeat, and the 1‑1 stalemate at Elche is the only point they’ve managed to rescue away from Pamplona. Their overall record sits at seven points from 21 possible, highlighting the urgency of breaking the away hoodoo.
Betis recent form and injury list
The Seville side broke a three‑match winless streak by thumping Real Sociedad 3‑1 on September 14. Forward Cucho Hernández netted the final goal, reminding fans that the attack still has a spark.
But the squad isn’t at full strength. Defender Marc Bartra and centre‑back Diego Llorente sit out with hamstring troubles, while veteran midfielder Isco remains sidelined from a lingering ankle issue. Coach Manuel Pellegrini will have to reshuffle his back line, likely plugging in Junior Firpo on the left and Héctor Bellerín on the right.
Midfield will revolve around Sofyan Amrabat, Pablo Fornals and the creative spark of Giovani Lo Celso. The front‑line remains anchored by Hernández, who has scored six La Liga goals this season.
Osasuna’s away woes and tactical tweaks
Osasuna’s manager Jagobá Arrasate faces a tactical conundrum. The Pamplona‑based side has failed to find a reliable defensive shape away from home, often conceding early and scrambling to recover.
Key players for the visitors include striker Kike Gómez and midfield workhorse David Garcia. Both have been instrumental in the club’s three goals scored on the road so far, suggesting that the match could still see an away goal.
Arrasate is expected to line up a 4‑4‑2, hoping to keep a compact block and hit on the counter‑attack. The central defensive pairing of Mikel Álvarez and Santiago Sánchez will be under the microscope – a slip could hand Betis the opening goal.
Head‑to‑head history: Betis dominance at home
Looking back, Betis have the upper hand. In the last 40 meetings, they have won 22, drawn 7 and lost 11. At the Benito Villamarín, the record is even more lopsided: six wins and one draw in the last seven La Liga clashes.
The only recent defeat for Betis came in the 2022‑23 season when Osasuna turned the tables 3‑2 in Pamplona. Before that, the last away win for Osasuna at Betis dates back to 2014.
Statistically, Betis average 1.45 goals per meeting while Osasuna sit at 1.27 – a narrow margin that hints at a potentially close contest, especially given both sides’ recent scoring trends.
Match preview: key battles and betting odds
Betting markets have made Betis clear favorites, with a home‑win price of 1.83. Both teams to score sits at 1.88, reflecting the expectation of an open game.
The decisive duel will likely be midfield versus midfield. Amrabat’s ball‑winning ability against the industrious Garcia could dictate possession percentages. If Betis can force Osasuna’s back line into errors, the quick‑release of Lo Celso may create the opening goal.
On the flanks, Firpo’s pace will test the slower left side of Osasuna, while Bellerín’s experience could neutralise the right‑wing threat from Kike Gómez.
Expect at least two goals – the history of "1" ending scores and Betis’s habit of opening the scoring at home suggest a 2‑1 or 3‑1 scoreline in favour of the hosts.
What’s at stake for the table
A win pushes Betis into the Europa League qualifying spots, while a loss could see them slide into a mid‑table tangle with clubs like Valencia and Real Sociedad.
Osasuna, if they manage a point, will close the gap to Betis to a single point, making the next match‑day a crucial showdown in the relegation‑avoidance battle.
Key facts
- Match: Real Betis vs CA Osasuna
- Date & time: 28 Sept 2025, 20:00 CET
- Venue: Estadio Benito Villamarín, Seville
- League position: Betis 9th (9 pts), Osasuna 13th (7 pts)
- Betting odds: Betis win 1.83, both teams to score 1.88
Frequently Asked Questions
How could this result affect Betis’s European ambitions?
A victory would lift Betis into the top‑seven, securing a spot in the Europa League qualifiers. Falling short could see them drift toward a mid‑table finish, forcing a focus on domestic stability rather than continental competition.
What are Osasuna’s chances of breaking their away losing streak?
Statistically they’re long‑shots – odds for an away win sit near 5.0 – but they have managed to score in each of their three away games. If they can tighten the defence and exploit Betis’s recent conceding trend, a draw or narrow win isn’t impossible.
Which player is most likely to open the scoring?
Betis have started the scoring in six of their last seven home matches, and Cucho Hernández has been involved in four of those. All signs point to him as the early‑game threat.
What tactical changes might Pellegrini make due to injuries?
With Bartra and Llorente sidelined, Pellegrini is likely to shift to a back‑four featuring Firpo, Natan, Bellerín and a makeshift centre‑back partnership of Martínez and García. This could mean a slightly higher defensive line to compensate for pace.
How does the head‑to‑head record influence the psychology of the teams?
Betis’s dominance at the Benito Villamarín gives them a confidence boost, while Osasuna’s solitary away win dating back to 2014 adds pressure. The psychological edge will likely manifest in the first 15 minutes, where early aggression could set the tone.
