Barcelona vs Osasuna: La Liga Preview
Barcelona will resume their La Liga campaign on Thursday at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys against Osasuna in a rescheduled Matchday 27 fixture. This game, postponed earlier in March due to the sad passing of Barcelona’s club doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia, is crucial for both teams as they chase their goals in the league.
Barcelona sits top of the La Liga table with 60 points from 27 matches, level with Real Madrid but with a game in hand. A win here would give them a 3 point lead and strengthen their grip on the title. Hansi Flick’s side is in great form, unbeaten in their last 18 games across all competitions and coming off an impressive 4-2 win over Atletico Madrid.
Osasuna is 14th with 33 points from 27 matches. They are 6 points clear of the relegation zone, but their last 5 games have been poor, no wins. They need to turn things around but face a tough task against a dominant Barcelona side.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
Barcelona has several injury concerns. Marc Casado joins Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal on the sidelines with a knee injury. Pau Cubarsi is doubtful after picking up a knock in international duty. But Inigo Martinez has returned to training and could play.
Hansi Flick will play 4-2-3-1. Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde as full backs. Eric Garcia will partner Inigo Martinez in central defence. Pedri and Frenkie de Jong will anchor the midfield, controlling the game and dictating the pace. Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez will provide width, Dani Olmo will be the creative force behind Robert Lewandowski.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Garcia, Martinez, Balde; Pedri, de Jong; Yamal, Olmo, Fermin; Lewandowski.
Osasuna
Osasuna also has some absentees for this game. Bryan Zaragoza is doubtful after picking up a knock in their last game, and Lucas Torro is suspended due to yellow card accumulation.
Manager Jagoba Arrasate will play 4-3-3 to counter Barcelona’s attack. Sergio Herrera will start in goal, with Jesus Areso and Juan Cruz as full-backs. Alejandro Catena and Jorge Herrando will be the central defenders. Pablo Ibanez will play defensive midfield alongside Jon Moncayola and Aimar Oroz. Ruben Garcia and Moi Gomez will provide width in attack, supporting Ante Budimir.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Herrera; Areso, Catena, Herrando, Cruz; Moncayola, Ibanez, Oroz; Ru. Garcia, Budimir, Gomez.
Stats
- Barcelona are unbeaten in 18 games across all competitions.
- Osasuna beat Barcelona 4-2 in the reverse fixture this season.
- Osasuna are winless in 5 La Liga games.
- Barcelona have won all 5 home games against Osasuna with a combined score of 10-0.
- Flick’s side are looking for their 8th consecutive La Liga win.
Player to Watch: Lamine Yamal
At 17 years old, Lamine Yamal is already a key player for Barcelona. With 30 goals in 38 games this season for the Blaugrana, Yamal has been instrumental in their success. He also scored against the Netherlands during the international break and will look to keep his form going against Osasuna.
Barcelona vs Osasuna Prediction
Barcelona’s form and home advantage make them huge favourites for this one. Osasuna will try to resist and surprise the league leaders as they did this season, but it’s unlikely they can beat Barcelona at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna
Barcelona vs Osasuna Live Stream
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