Madrid is primed for yet another exciting weekend of La Liga football, which is headlined by Atletico Madrid welcoming Osasuna to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, where Diego Simeone’s men will look to move from a place of consistency to one of dominance, and this is more than just another league fixture; it is a chance to make a statement! Atletico has not been at their ruthless best this season, but they remain a difficult team to beat. They currently sit 5th in the standings with 13 points from 8 matches and are not too far behind the top of the table. They have won two of their last three on the bounce. Meanwhile, Osasuna has quietly been praiseworthy under Alessio Lisci and comes into this game with the hope of repeating last season’s upset against Atletico, where they produced a stunning 2-0 victory. Something feels different this time around. The pressure is intense.

The vibe is sure to be buzzing. And for bettors or supporters, for that matter, this match has a huge upside, especially if you know what you are doing. 

Atletico Madrid’s start to the season has been a rollercoaster ride, including some highs and some lows. Diego Simeone’s side sits with three wins, four draws, and just one defeat in eight league matches. They have scored 15 goals and conceded 10—showcasing the fire and flaws of a group still attempting to find their rhythm. The team’s 1-1 draw versus Celta Vigo before the international break showed that the spirit is there but not necessarily the execution when attacking. Still, Amancio are yet to lose at home (three wins and one draw), and the Metropolitano continues to be a stronghold. Simeone’s defensive structure, quick transition play, and winning mentality have continued to be the lifeblood of this team.

Once again it will be Antoine Griezmann driving the creative play, while Julian Alvarez will provide the killer finishing. Alvarez has already scored seven times in all competitions, and his form has him as the one to watch on any betting slip for the weekend ahead. Defensively, with Clement Lenglet currently sidelined for a suspension, the defense could undergo tactical tinkering. David Hancko could play centrally with Javi Galán at left-back. Meanwhile, both Koke and Barrios are set to dictate the tempo in the midfield while also respecting Atleti’s compact shape, making them hard to break down. It is possible to expect Atletico to comfortably dominate possession, press high, and then strike with burst speed, especially in wide areas, by sending either Simeone Jr. or Gonzalez. 

Osasuna enters Madrid as underdogs, though certainly not doormats. The Pamplona club has established a foundation of grinding results against the higher echelon of teams in the elite leagues. Based on their last three league games against Atletico, they have gone into those matches with two victories above Atletico, so it is clear they can hurt the giants. Under the watchful eye of Alessio Lisci, Osasuna is fast developing an identity based on being disciplined with a very structured back line while being disruptive with aggression in the duels and then opportunistic on the counterattack. Osasuna have conceded only eight goals thus far in the season, and that defensive record surpasses both of their elite rivals in Real Madrid and Barcelona. 

However, while this defensive identity continues to build footing under Lisci, the biggest potential concern is the attacking third. Osasuna have only scored seven goals in eight matches, which ultimately resulted in lost points and, at a point in the season, became a burden. Ante Budimir, their experienced Croatian striker, will once again lead the line. He has scored twice this season, and his aerial threat could test Atletico's new-look backline. On the other side, Victor Muñoz, a quick, creative problem solver who can provide that final ball to break open the game, has been a revelation.

In their previous five matchups, Atletico is ahead with three wins to Osasuna's two. The history has not been one-sided, and Osasuna's 4-1 demolition at the Metropolitano in 2024 will be a painful memory for the Atletico faithful. This game was a pivotal moment: someone was reminded you could not be complacent on the home turf. Atleti have since tightened things up and reclaimed authority in Madrid-based contests. This being said, Madrid and Osasuna have built belief; Osasuna have figured out how to frustrate bigger teams with defending deep, countering at pace, and capitalizing on errors.

For Atletico Madrid's part, they are determined to not let familiarity decide another match, especially not with the crowd behind them and their frontline rejuvenated.

Atletico Madrid has an important home advantage. The atmosphere at the Metropolitano is striking with intense pressing, accurate passing, and velocity around the pitch. The midfield presence of Koke and Barrios will steady the ship, while Griezmann's partnership will create countless scoring opportunities for Alvarez. 

Osasuna will more than likely look to sit in an organized 5-3-2 formation and absorb pressure before countering with Budimir and Gomez. However, the task of defending for a full 90 minutes against Atletico's unpredictable and sustained attacking phase will be a Herculean effort. Osasuna should begin the match with a firm defense, but after the first goal, I expect the goals to flow for Atletico Madrid. With Griezmann playing in deeper areas and daring Alvarez to find space, multiple goals seem likely.

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2)

• Oblak (GK); Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Galán; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Gonzalez; Griezmann, Alvarez. 

Osasuna (3-5-2)

• Herrera (GK); Boyomo, Catena, Cruz; Rosier, Moncayola, Torro, Gomez, Bretones; Munoz, Budimir. 

There is little doubt Atletico Madrid will win. With the balance of the Atletico Madrid squad, particularly at home, and the attacking output, the form and lack of away attacking of Osasuna heavily suggest they will be holding the majority of the possession, which will prove to be costly.

Expect Atletico Madrid to dominate the match while Griezmann pulls strings, and Alvarez continues his golden streak. Osasuna may grab a consolation goal, but the winner should have no issue taking the three points necessary to keep their top-four climb alive.

On October 18th, 2025, Atletico Madrid meets Osasuna at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, which is a significant match in La Liga. The team of Simeone tries to not only keep their unbeaten home record but also make their title challenge alive again, meanwhile, Osasuna is looking for a surprise again. Given the current form of Griezmann and Alvarez, Atletico is predicted to win by a score of 3-1.