Preview: Osasuna vs. Barcelona - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors will enter the match off the back of a 2-0 victory over Almeria on Saturday, while Osasuna beat Celta Vigo 2-1 to make it 10 points from their last four matches during a strong run of form.

Match preview

Since losing 2-0 at Villarreal on October 17, Osasuna have beaten Espanyol, Real Valladolid and Celta in the league, in addition to drawing 1-1 with Girona, and the strong run has seen them move into fifth spot in the table.

Los Rojillos have won seven, drawn two and lost four of their 13 league games this season to collect 23 points, which has left them level with third-placed Atletico Madrid.

A double from Ezequiel Avila saw Jagoba Arrasate's side record a 2-1 victory over Celta on Saturday, and the home team will now be looking to make it three victories in a row on Tuesday night.

Osasuna, who have another game against Fuentes in the Copa del Rey on Saturday, suffered 4-0 defeat in their last clash with Barcelona back in March, but the points were shared in a 2-2 draw at Estadio El Sadar last term.

The Pamplona-based outfit have finished 10th, 11th and 10th in their last three La Liga campaigns, but they were seventh as recent as 2011-12, and a European challenge this term cannot be ruled out considering their results and performances in the opening months of the campaign.

Barcelona, meanwhile, will enter the match off the back of a 2-0 victory over Almeria on Saturday night, with Gerard Pique bidding farewell to Camp Nou, as he prepares to retire from professional football.

Pique captained the Catalan giants on what was an emotional night for the centre-back, and Xavi's side managed to secure an important three points courtesy of second-half goals from Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong, with the result moving them back to the top of the table.

Barcelona are currently two points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, but the champions would return to the summit if they manage to overcome Rayo Vallecano on Sunday night.

There is no getting away from the fact that the Catalan outfit were hugely disappointing in the Champions League, but they have been excellent in the league this season, winning 11, drawing one and losing one of their 13 matches, scoring 31 times and conceding just four in the process.

Barcelona will be targeting La Liga, Europa League and Copa del Rey success in the second half of the campaign, and it will be fascinating to see what the team can achieve this term, especially as more business during the January transfer window cannot be ruled out.

Osasuna La Liga form:

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Barcelona La Liga form:

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Barcelona form (all competitions):

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Team News

Osasuna will be missing on-loan Barcelona attacker Abde Ezzalzouli due to a thigh problem, while Kike Saverio is again expected to miss out with a tendon injury.

Sergio Herrera also remains a doubt, but the home side have no fresh inputs concerns from their clash with Celta last time out, so it would not be a surprise to see the same XI feature here.

Avila is likely to be joined in the final third of the field by Kike Barja and Ante Budimir, while Lucas Torro, Aimar Oroz and Moi Gomez should again feature as the midfield three.

As for Barcelona, Pique is technically available for this match, but it is unlikely that he will play a part, especially with Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia now fit and available for selection.

Memphis Depay and Jules Kounde remain doubts for this contest, while Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie will definitely be on the sidelines through injury.

Head coach Xavi is expected to make changes to the side that started against Almeria, with Ansu Fati, Gavi, Eric Garcia and Christensen potentially coming into the XI.

Sergio Busquets could potentially drop out of the midfield for the first whistle, with Frenkie de Jong playing alongside Gavi and Pedri in a midfield three.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:

Fernandez; Pena, U Garcia, D Garcia, Sanchez; Oroz, Torro, Gomez; Avila, Budimir, Barja

Barcelona possible starting lineup:

Ter Stegen; Balde, Christensen, E Garcia, Alonso; Gavi, De Jong, Pedri; Dembele, Lewandowski, Fati

We say: Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona

This has the potential to be a very, very difficult match for Barcelona considering Osasuna's form this season. It would certainly not be a surprise to see Osasuna claim a win or indeed a point, but we just have a feeling that Barcelona will do enough to pick up an important three points ahead of the break.

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