Osasuna vs Racing 18.10.2026: Prediction, Betting Tips and Match Preview

Both Osasuna and Racing Santander head into this La Liga matchup perfectly tied on points after eight rounds, yet neither side will take comfort from that symmetry. They sit deep in the lower reaches of the table, and their defensive statistics make for grim reading: the Pamplona-based hosts have conceded 18 goals, while their Cantabrian visitors have been breached a staggering 23 times. Adding to the pressure, the home side have gone five matches without a win, and Racing have now slipped three games without a victory. When the two meet at El Sadar, both outfits will be desperate to snap their winless streaks.

Osasuna: A Fresh Start Under Arrasate

Osasuna opened the season in sparkling form, collecting seven points from their first three fixtures. That early promise, however, quickly evaporated. Over the next five rounds, the "Rojillos" could only manage a single point—a 1:1 draw against Rayo Vallecano—while suffering chastening defeats to Alaves (2:5), Espanyol (0:2), Atletico Madrid (0:4), and Real Betis (2:5). The defence has been the primary cause for concern, having leaked 17 goals in that disastrous stretch. The final blow came in Seville, where a heavy loss to Betis triggered immediate change in the dugout. The club have turned back to a well-known figure: Jagoba Arrasate, who previously led Osasuna and now sits second on the club's all-time list for matches managed. The returning coach faces an urgent task to restore order and confidence.

Yet a winning start is far from guaranteed, with the squad shorn of several key players. The club have confirmed that Jorge Herrando and Roman Del Castillo are still in rehabilitation, while Aimar Oros has picked up a hamstring injury. On a more positive note, Kike Barja and Raul Moro have returned to training with the main group. In such testing circumstances, the form of Ante Budimir becomes even more crucial. The Croatian striker has accounted for six of the club's eight league goals this season, making him the focal point of the attack. But to truly escape this crisis, Osasuna will need improvements at both ends of the pitch—not just reliance on their prolific forward.

Racing: Plenty of Goals, But Even More Conceded

Racing Santander have made their long-awaited return to La Liga an eye-catching affair, though not always for the right reasons. Their eight fixtures have produced a remarkable 36 goals, an average of 4.5 per game. The "Verdeblancos" have scored 13 times, but their defence has been breached 23 times, leaving them mired in the lower part of the standings. The most painful afternoons came against Barcelona (2:7) and Celta Vigo (0:5). In their most recent outing, Racing let a lead slip in a 2:2 draw with Valencia, a result that underscored the fragility of their back line. When you concede with that frequency, even two goals are rarely enough to secure victory.

That said, the newcomers possess attacking players capable of troubling any defence in the division. Yassir Zabiri has been the standout performer, scoring seven goals in eight appearances and leading the team's scoring charts. There are no significant injury concerns ahead of the trip to Pamplona, leaving coach Jose Alberto Lopez with a nearly full-strength squad. Considering the current state of Osasuna's defence, Racing will firmly believe they can leave El Sadar with something to show for their efforts.

Predicted Lineups

Osasuna (4-1-4-1): Aitor – Argibide, Catena, Boyomo, Bretones – Torro – R. Garcia, Moncayola, Munoz, M. Gomez – Budimir

Unavailable: Herrando, Bonel, Oros, Del Castillo (all injured); Barja, Moro (both doubtful)

Head coach: Jagoba Arrasate

Racing (4-1-4-1): Agirrezabala – Mantilla, Ramon, Belocian, Salinas – Prati – Canales, Almeida, I. Martin, Vicente – Zabiri

Unavailable: Ericsson (injured)

Head coach: Jose Alberto Lopez

Prediction and Bet

The primary betting angle centres on Racing's miserable away record. The newcomers have lost all four of their league matches on the road this season, with an aggregate scoreline of 4:16. Even their chief weapon—the attack—loses its edge when they travel. Expected goals (xG) data show that over four away fixtures, Racing have only marginally outperformed Getafe (1.31 vs 1.24), while every other opponent has generated better chances. Osasuna, in contrast, have suffered only one home defeat in four league outings. The return of Jagoba Arrasate adds another layer of motivation, as the players will be eager to impress their new-old boss. Backing Osasuna to win at odds of 1.99 appears a well-founded choice.

For totals, the numbers point in a similar direction. Racing have conceded at least two goals in six of their eight league matches, meaning the hosts should enjoy plenty of opportunities in front of goal. Osasuna's main attacking reference remains Ante Budimir, who has already scored six times this season. Even during their current slump, the "Rojillos" managed to score twice in the 2:5 loss at Betis. Now they face one of the most vulnerable defences in the division at home, with the extra energy of a coaching change behind them. The sensible selection is Osasuna's individual total over 1.5 goals, available at 1.77.