Barcelonavs.Osasuna

Blaugrana have been victorious in each of their last six fixtures in Spain's top flight, with a total of 57 points leaving them at the top of the La Liga table, while Osasuna, who are winless since the start of February, occupy 11th position.

Match preview

Barcelona are unbeaten across all tournaments since December 21, and it could be an incredibly successful end to the campaign for the Catalan giants, who are looking strong in each of the three competitions that they are involved in.

Indeed, Hansi Flick's side are top of the La Liga table, boasting 57 points from 26 matches, which has left them one point ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid and three clear of the reigning champions Real Madrid, who occupy third.

Barcelona are on a six-game winning run in the league, including a 4-0 success over Real Sociedad last weekend, while they have only conceded three times in La Liga this year, with the team looking incredibly strong.

The Catalan outfit will enter this match off the back of a 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League clash in Portugal, with Flick's team in a strong position to reach the next round.

Barcelona are level at 4-4 with Atletico Madrid ahead of the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, meanwhile, with that contest at Wanda Metropolitano taking place on April 2.

Blaugrana are comfortably the highest goalscorers in La Liga this season, finding the back of the net on 71 occasions, with Robert Lewandowski leading the goalscoring charts, having registered 21 times.

Osasuna also have a striker enjoying an impressive campaign, with Ante Budimir netting 14 times in Spain's top flight, which is a record only bettered by Lewandowski and Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe (17).

Los Rojillos have struggled for wins of late, though, with their last success coming at the start of February; since then, Vicente Moreno's side have played five times, drawing three and suffering two defeats.

Osasuna will enter this match off the back of a 3-3 draw with Valencia, with Los Che netting late on to secure a point, and recent results have seen them drop down into 11th spot in the table.

That said, Moreno's team are only five points behind sixth-placed Real Betis, with a spot in Europe for next season not out of the question, as there are plenty of points to play for in the latter stages of the campaign.

Osasuna are looking to do a La Liga double over Barcelona, having beaten the Catalan giants 4-2 in the reverse fixture back in September, while they also have a recent away victory over the La Liga leaders, triumphing 2-1 in July 2020.

Barcelona La Liga form:

W

W

W

W

W

W

Barcelona form (all competitions):

W

W

W

D

W

W

Osasuna La Liga form:

D

W

D

D

L

D

Osasuna form (all competitions):

W

L

D

D

L

D

Team News

Barcelona are hopeful that Gavi will be available; the midfielder has missed his side's last two matches due to illness, but he is believed to have been close to taking on Benfica, so a return to the squad on Saturday is highly likely.

Andreas Christensen is now fit after a recent muscular problem, but it remains to be seen whether he is involved; Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal, meanwhile, remain on the sidelines with long-term knee injuries.

Pau Cubarsi was sent off against Benfica but is available for this match and should start; Ronald Araujo and Marc Casado are also expected to earn recalls, while Dani Olmo may get the nod over Gavi in the number 10 spot due to the latter's recent absence.

As for Osasuna, Aimar Oroz had to be substituted in the early stages of the second period against Valencia with a muscular problem, and the attacker, who netted twice against Los Che, is now a major doubt for this match.

Kike Barja is on standby to replace Oroz, while there could also be a change at left-back, with Juan Cruz potentially coming in for Abel Bretones.

Budimir, as mentioned, is enjoying an excellent campaign, and he is certain to feature in the final third of the field, while Ruben Garcia and Bryan Zaragoza are also likely to be named in the starting XI.

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Herrera; Areso, Boyomo, Catena, Cruz; Moncayola, Torro; Ruben Garcia, Barja, Zaragoza; Budimir

We say: Barcelona 3-1 Osasuna

Osasuna are a quality side, and there is enough attacking talent in their squad to cause Barcelona problems here, but it is difficult to overlook the Catalan giants, who have so many players in excellent form; in truth, we are expecting it to be a routine home success for Flick's side, who are the team to catch in La Liga at this moment in time.

Written by

Matt Law

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