La Liga leaders Real Madrid will be eyeing a ninth straight win in La Liga when they hit the road to face Osasuna on Saturday.
Having reclaimed top spot last week, Real Madrid will be hoping to strengthen their case for the league title with another win against Osasuna, who have been in fine form of late.
The home team are 10th on the table with 30 points in their 24 outings, with eight wins, six draws and 10 defeats. Osasuna have been unbeaten in their last five league games, winning three of those fixtures.
They are heading into this fixture against Real Madrid on the back of a 0-0 draw against Elche. They were far from their best and will certainly have to step up their game to stand a chance against Los Blancos.
Meanwhile, the visitors are top of La Liga with 60 points in their 24 outings, with 19 wins, three draws and two defeats. They have won each of their last eight league games, and with Barcelona dropping points last time out, Los Blancos now have a two-point lead at the top.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s team certainly can’t afford to relax, and they will go all out to secure another three points. They are heading into this fixture on the back of a 1-0 win over Benfica and will look to build on it.
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 be without the services of Iker Benito (knee) and Enzo Boyomo (muscle). Apart from the duo, everyone else is expected to be available for selection.
Osasuna will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, where Sergio Herrera will be in goal. Valentin Rosier and Javi Galan should take charge as the full-backs, while Jorge Herrando will partner with Alejandro Catena in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Jon Moncayola will partner with Lucas Torro. The duo will look to shield the backline and ensure they do not allow Madrid to have any easy possession.
Ruben Garcia and Aimar Oroz will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Victor Munoz will take up the number ten role, while Ante Budimir will continue to lead the line for the home team.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Herrera; Rosier, Herrando, Catena, Galan; Torro, Moncayola; Ruben Garcia, V Munoz, Oroz; Budimir
Real Madrid
The visitors will remain without the services of Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao because of hamstring injuries. While Raul Asencio and Rodrygo are both back available after serving a suspension last time out, the Brazilian international is a major doubt because of a hamstring issue of his own.
The Spanish giants will line up in a 4-3-2-1 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras should be the full-backs, while Asencio will partner with Dean Huijsen in central defence.
In the centre of the park, Aurelien Tchouameni will start alongside Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game and ensure they dominate the proceedings.
Arda Guler should take up the number ten role, with the in-form duo of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe leading the line for the team in white.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Valverde, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius
Key Stats
- Real Madrid have won 31 out of their last 46 matches against Osasuna, who have only won five times in those meetings.
- Los Blancos have won each of their last eight league games.
- Osasuna have been unbeaten in their last five league outings.
- Alvaro Arbeloa’s team have found the back of the net in each of their last 16 games in all competitions.
- The two teams played out a 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture last year.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe has bagged a goal in each of his last six league appearances, and he certainly will be the one to watch out for. While all the focus will be on Vinicius Junior following the controversy in the Benfica game, Osasuna certainly cannot afford to take their eyes off his partner in crime.
The French international has 38 goals and six assists in his 32 outings; 27 of those goal contributions have come in La Liga. Given the kind of form he has been in, Mbappe will certainly have a big say on the end result of this fixture.
Prediction
Osasuna 0-3 Real Madrid
Osasuna’s recent resilience suggests they will not make life easy for the league leaders, especially on home soil. Expect the hosts to stay compact, sit deep, and look to frustrate Real Madrid with a disciplined defensive block, while hoping Ante Budimir or Aimar Oroz can capitalise on rare transitions.
However, Real Madrid’s current momentum and attacking depth should ultimately prove decisive. With their midfield control and firepower in the final third, Los Blancos are well placed to wear Osasuna down over 90 minutes and extend their winning streak, tightening their grip on top spot in the process. The Hard Tackle predicts a comfortable 3-0 win for Alvaro Arbeloa and his charges.
