Xavi’s Barcelona will look to make it three wins in a row when they square up against Osasuna away from home.
Osasuna are all set to host La Liga champions Barcelona on Matchday 4 of the 2023/24 campaign. The home team are off to a decent start in the new season, and they will look to carry on in a similar fashion when they square up against the Catalan giants, who are in search of their third consecutive win.
The home team started the new season with a comfortable 2-0 win over Celta Vigo. But, they suffered back-to-back defeats post that. First, they lost on Matchday 2 against Athletic Club and then in the UEFA Europa Conference League playoff against Club Brugge.
They did manage to bounce back on Matchday three with a 2-1 win over Valencia. While their record in all competitions is not that impressive, the start to La Liga is good considering the fact that they have won two and lost one.
When they host the defending champions, Osasuna will look to snatch a point at least to ensure they are on the right track. Meanwhile, the opposition started off the new season with a disappointing draw against Getafe. They were expected to claim all three points on the night but ended up dropping points on the first matchday itself.
The Catalan giants did manage to bounce back and have registered back-to-back wins in the league since. They are currently 4th in the league and will be searching for their third when they hit the road to square up against 8th-placed Osasuna. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Osasuna
The home team will once again be without the service of Darko Brasanac, who is out injured. While Brasanac is unavailable, the good news is that everyone else is available. Ezequiel Avila has served his suspension and is back in the mix.
Los rojillos are back in Tajonar.#LetsGoRojillos pic.twitter.com/VZodgcWj7R
— C. A. OSASUNA (@osasuna_en) September 1, 2023
Jagoba Arrasate is expected to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Sergio Herrera will be in goal. In defence, Jesus Areso and Juan Cruz will be the full-backs. The duo will have a lot of defensive duties to take care of. In the heart of the defence, David Garcia will pair up with Alejandro Catena.
Iker Muñoz and Pablo Ibanez will form the double pivot in the centre of the park. While their priority will be to keep hold of the ball and control the tempo of the match, they are expected to have a busy day defending.
Kike Barja is expected to start on the right flank while José Manuel Arnáiz will take charge on the left. Aimar Oroz will start in an attacking midfielder’s position and will look to link up with the wingers as well as their striker Ruben Garcia.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Herrera; Areso, Catena, D Garcia, Cruz; Ibanez, Munoz; Barja, Oroz, Arnaiz; Ruben Garcia
Barcelona
Barcelona managed to add Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo to their ranks on deadline day. They successfully registered Inigo Martinez as well as a few other of their youth products. All these players will be available for this fixture, but none of them is expected to start. They can surely play a role off the bench but a start looks unlikely.
🗣 Xavi: "A fantastic job has been during the transfer market. We are happy" pic.twitter.com/J9KEKaA6k6
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 2, 2023
As far as injuries are concerned, Ronald Araujo and Pedri are still on the sidelines. Martinez might have been registered, but he is still a doubt because of a foot injury. Meanwhile, Raphinha is back in the mix after having served his suspension.
Xavi will go ahead with the traditional 4-3-3, where Marc-Andre ter Stegen will continue in goal. Sergi Roberto and Alejandro Balde will be the full-backs. The duo will look to join the attack and double up on the opposition full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Jules Kounde will pair up with Andreas Christensen, with Araujo still out injured.
Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan will be in support of Oriol Romeu, who will start as a defensive midfielder in their fixture. The trio will look to control the ball possession and dictate the pace of this game.
With Raphinha back fit, he is expected to walk into the playing XI, but Lamine Yamal might not be the one who makes room for him. Given his recent performances Yamal might continue, this time on the left flank and Gavi might be reduced to the bench. Meanwhile, Robert Lewandowski will lead the attack.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): ter Stegen; Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Balde; Gundogan, Romeu, De Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Yamal
Key Stats
- Barcelona have won 26 out of the last 42 matches against Osasuna who have only managed six wins.
- Osasuna are winless in their last seven home games against Barcelona in the league.
- Barcelona have won each of their last three matches against the home team.
- The home team have not played a draw in their last 14 league matches. This is their longest such run in the league since 1984.
- Barcelona have won only two out of their last seven away games in La Liga.
Player to Watch
Lamine Yamal
Yamal has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months. The 16-year-old has made it to Barcelona’s first team and has already featured in three matches. He even has two assists to his name.
Despite being just 16, he has been one of the best players for the Catalan giants in the first few matches of the season. He has been called up for the Spanish national team on the back of his performances. The teenager is expected to start against Osasuna, and he might end up having a big say on the result of this match.
Prediction
Osasuna 0-2 Barcelona
Osasuna have got off to a decent start in the new season, and they will surely put up a fight against Barcelona. The home team have won two out of their three league matches so far and will be looking to make it three wins but it won’t be easy by any means.
The Catalan giants did noot get off the a perfect start but they have started picking up the pace. They have enough quality and depth in their squad to ensure that they can get past the home team. As a result, The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the visitors.
