La Liga title hopefuls Barcelona take a trip to El Sadar to meet perennial mid-table strugglers Osasuna in midweek league action.
Ambitions are skyrocketing in the home camp following an impressive start to the season as they come into Tuesday’s fixture riding on a four-game unbeaten top-flight run (W3, D1).
Jagoba Arrasate’s side claimed a 2-1 win away to Celta Vigo at the weekend to close the gap on the current top four to a single point and mark their best 13-match start since 2005/06 (W7, D2, L4).
If home fans are looking for an omen, the last time Osasuna enjoyed such a promising La Liga start, they finished fourth, which would be a noticeable improvement compared to a 10th-place rank in 2021/22.
Osasuna’s top-four credentials are about to face a stern test in the shape of runners-up Barcelona, who eased past promoted Almeria 2-0 in Gerard Pique’s last game for the club on Saturday evening.
Despite Robert Lewandowski’s rare miss from the spot in the first half, Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong were on the scoresheet after half-time to extend the Blaugrana’s winning league streak to four matches.
Xavi Hernandez’s men have at least temporarily knocked Real Madrid down from the summit of La Liga.
But they cannot afford to celebrate yet, as devastated supporters expect them to lift the title for the first time since 2018/19.
After suffering back-to-back Champions League group stage eliminations for only the second time in the club’s history, Barcelona will continue their European journey in the Europa League play-off round.
Since an unfavourable draw paired them up with Manchester United in a blockbuster play-off tie, the Catalans would like to gather as much momentum as possible ahead of the springtime European fixtures.
Match Preview
Osasuna
Facing Barcelona in midweek La Liga action may inspire Osasuna’s bid to defy a thoroughly underwhelming 12-game H2H form in Spain’s top flight (W1, D3, L8).
It seems Los Rojillos thrive in midweek fixtures, considering they have not lost any of their last seven home league outings contested on Tuesday (W4, D3).
Adding to Osasuna’s confidence, an emphatic return of five wins from their opening seven La Liga home games this term (L2) accounts for their best tally at this stage of a top-flight season since 2005/06.
Barcelona
Barcelona have gone from strength to strength since a 3-1 El Clasico defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning four successive league matches without conceding in the aftermath.
Much of the credit for Barca’s fourth-joint best points tally (32) after 13 La Liga rounds goes to a rock-solid defence, which has conceded only four goals, equallying the best-ever defensive start in the competition.
With Barcelona going unbeaten on their last six top-flight visits to El Sadar (W3, D3), Xavi will be confident about maintaining his side’s purple patch on Tuesday.
Osasuna vs Barcelona Potential Line-ups
Osasuna (4-3-3): Aitor Fernandez; Ruben Pena, Unai Garcia, David Garcia, Manu Sanchez; Aimar Oroz, Lucas Torro, Moi Gomez; Chimy Avila, Ante Budimir, Kike Barja.
Barcelona (4-3-3): Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Alejandro Balde, Andreas Christensen, Eric Garcia, Marcos Alonso; Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Pedri; Ousmane Dembele, Robert Lewandowski, Ansu Fati.
How to Watch?
Osasuna vs Barcelona, alongside all other Blaugrana matches this season, is available to watch live online via Barcelona live streams.
Osasuna vs Barcelona Prediction
Osasuna’s recent performances suggest Barcelona will have to work their socks off to take points away from El Sadar.
But if anyone has that quality to break Los Rojillos’ high-flying patch, it’s the Blaugrana.
We expect Xavi’s side to capture a single-goal margin triumph.
Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona
