Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona will look to return to winning ways when they host 12th-placed Osasuna in La Liga.
Barcelona are all set to host Osasuna in the league. The visitors will look for all three points to ensure they stay miles ahead of the drop zone while the home team are desperate for all three points to keep themselves alive in the title race.
Barcelona’s hopes of winning the league title took another huge blow last time out as they suffered a humiliating 5-3 defeat at the hands of Villarreal. The Blaugrana dominated the ball, created more chances and had the lead for the majority of the game but still ended up on the receiving end.
Things are not going according to plan for the Spanish giants. A lot is going on in the background, and the news that Xavi has decided to part ways at the end of the season has not helped either. Irrespective of what is happening in and around, the players will be determined to get the right result on the day.
Meanwhile, Osasuna have been doing well of late. They have won three of their last five league games and are currently 12th on the points table with 26 points out of their 21 matches. Their recent performances have helped them build a ten-point buffer over 18th-placed Cadiz.
A win over Barcelona will not only help them extend it, but it will also be a major morale boost for the entire squad for the remainder of the season. Osasuna are heading into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw against Sevilla.
It was an evenly-fought contest, and they will expect to do a bit better than they did last time out when they face the Catalan giants. Meanwhile, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
Barcelona
Barcelona will definitely be without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso and Gavi. Even the availability of Sergi Roberto, Raphinha and Inigo Martinez is unlikely. They do have a boost as Joao Cancelo is expected to get his first start since his return from injury.
Xavi is expected to make a few changes to the XI that started in their last outing, but he will stick to the 4-3-3 formation. Inaki Pena will continue in goal.
As far as the back four goes, Jules Kounde and Cancelo will be the full-backs. They will look to join the attack at every possible opportunity. But their priority will be to ensure the opposition wide players are in check and the centre-back pairing of Ronald Araujo and Pau Cubarsi gets the much-needed support.
Frenkie de Jong will feature as the holding midfielder, while Ilkay Gundogan and Pedri will start alongside him. The trio will look to dominate ball possession and ensure they dictate the pace of the game.
The in-form duo of Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres will feature out wide on the flanks. They will look to stretch the opposition’s defence and create chances for the deadly Robert Lewandowski who will be leading the line.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Cancelo; Pedri, De Jong, Gundogan; Yamal, Lewandowski, Torres
Osasuna
Chimy Avila is closing in on a return from injury, but this fixture comes way too soon for him. Meanwhile, Jesus Areso who has made substitute appearances in their last two outings, could come into the XI for this fixture.
The visitors are expected to make a few changes to their regular XI to ensure they have the fresh legs to take on the defending champions. Osasuna will go ahead with the 3-5-2 formation for this fixture. Sergio Herrera will be in goal, and the back three will be made up of David Garcia, Juan Cruz and Alejandro Catena.
The trio will look to keep a clean sheet against one of the highest-scoring teams in the division and they will have the support of Areso and Ruben Pena who will feature as the wing-backs.
As far as the central midfielders are concerned, Aimar Oroz will start alongside Iker Munoz and Moi Gomez. The trio will look to ensure that Barcelona do not end up dominating the proceedings. Meanwhile, Ante Budimir will pair up with Arnaiz up top in attack.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Herrera; David Garcia, Catena, Cruz; Areso, Oroz, Munoz, Gomez, Pena; Budimir, Arnaiz
Key Stats
- Less than a month back, both teams met in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup, Barcelona won 2-0 on the night.
- The Catalan giants have won 28 out of the 44 matches played against Osasuna who only have six wins to their name.
- The visitors have lost each of their last six games against Xavi’s team. They haven’t won in any of their last eight matches.
- Osasuna have been winless in their last six away games. They have lost four and drawn two since their 2-0 win over Alaves back in October.
- Barcelona are heading into this on the back of a defeat, their only one in their last five league games.
Player to Watch
Ferran Torres
Torres did not really get off to the kind of start he wanted when he joined Barcelona in the summer of 2022. The first season at the club was more or less a struggle. But, things have changed of late as he has 15 goal contributions in his 31 appearances in the 2023/24 season.
He recently scored a hat-trick and bagged an assist against Real Betis. But Torres did not start their last outing against Villarreal which ended in a defeat. He is in line to start this fixture against Osasuna, and his recent form suggests he could be the difference between the two teams.
Prediction
Barcelona 2-1 Osasuna
Osasuna have been in great form of late, winning three of their last five league games. Up next, they are going up against a team that has not been at their best. A lot is going on at Barcelona, and it is their first outing since Xavi made the decision to part ways after the end of the season public.
Given all that is happening, one would expect Osasuna to have a chance here. But, in reality, Barcelona will be eager to prove themselves after suffering two massive defeats. And, they might just have enough in their tanks to come out on top. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the home team.