When Osasuna welcome Elche to their home ground on September 25, all eyes will be on Ante Budimir. The 32‑year‑old Croatian has turned into the club’s go‑to marksman, already netting five times in the opening weeks of the 2025 La Liga season. That tally, combined with a habit of finding the back of the net in eight of his last ten home matches, has pushed his anytime‑goalscorer odds to a tempting +115.
Why Budimir’s numbers matter
Budimir’s impact goes beyond the headline goal count. He’s taken nine shots so far – the most by any Osasuna player and good enough for a top‑ten spot across the league. Averaging roughly 1.8 attempts per game, he’s not shy about testing keepers, and his conversion rate has stayed respectable despite the heavy volume.
Last season’s campaign cemented his reputation. He finished the 2024/25 season with 21 goals and four assists in 38 appearances, earning him a third‑place finish in the race for the Golden Boot. That haul placed him among the league’s elite scorers, even though Osasuna sit outside the traditional powerhouses.
How Osasuna will set him up
The team will line up in a 3‑5‑2, with Budimir partnering Victor Muñoz up front. The midfield trio of Jon Moncayola, Lucas Torro and Moi Gómez is expected to supply the creative spark, while wingers Abel Bretones and Iker Benito will stretch the opposition and feed crosses into the box.
Budimir’s physical presence makes him a constant threat on the penalty area line. He likes to drift between the centre‑backs, draw fouls and then pounce on loose balls. Osasuna’s full‑backs, Victor Chust and Leo Petrot, are likely to push high, creating space for Budimir to exploit with runs behind the defense.
Elche, on the other hand, will probably stick to a back five anchored by Bambo Diaby. Their plan will revolve around compactness and denying Budimir the space he loves. Still, the Croat’s knack for positioning means he can find gaps even in tight formations.
Betting angles beyond the scorer market
Oddsmakers have rolled out a menu of prop bets for the fixture. In addition to the anytime‑goalscorer line, there are markets for shots on target, first‑goal scorer and total shots taken by Budimir. Given his high shot volume, the "shots on target" prop is worth a look – his average suggests he’ll likely register at least two quality attempts.
The first‑goal market is also tempting. Budimir has a habit of opening scoring in home games, which could make the +180 odds for "first to score" a decent value play.
For deeper bettors, the "over/under" for Budimir’s total shots (set at 2.5) offers a juicy option. His recent home outings have seen him fire three or more attempts on several occasions, so the over could be a logical pick.
What the fixture means for the league table
Osasuna are looking to consolidate a solid start to the campaign, while Elche want to bounce back from a shaky opening. A win for Osasuna, bolstered by a Budimir goal, would push them into the upper half of the table early on. Conversely, a clean sheet for Elche could shake the confidence of the Croatian forward, affecting his betting appeal for the next few weeks.
Regardless of the final score, Budimir’s role as the focal point of Osasuna’s attack makes him the player to watch on September 25. Whether you’re tracking his goal tally, his shot metrics, or simply enjoying the sport, the match offers plenty of drama and betting intrigue.
