Barcelona vs Osasuna: La Liga match preview – Can the leaders extend their dominance?

In the electrifying world of La Liga, where every match can shift the title race, Barcelona welcome Osasuna to the Spotify Camp Nou on Saturday evening. Kick-off is at 6:30 PM CET, and with the Catalan giants riding a wave of momentum, this fixture promises goals, drama, and a chance for Hansi Flick’s side to solidify their position at the summit. Osasuna, meanwhile, arrive desperate for points in a scrappy battle against the drop zone. Let’s dive into the key storylines, potential lineups, and our score prediction ahead of this pivotal encounter.

Form Guide: Barcelona’s Surge vs Osasuna’s Gritty Revival

Barcelona enter this matchup as La Liga’s undisputed frontrunners, boasting 37 points from 15 games and a staggering four-point lead over rivals Real Madrid. The Blaugrana have transformed early-season stumbles into a six-game winning streak in the league, their latest a thrilling 5-3 demolition of Real Betis where Ferran Torres notched a hat-trick. Midweek, they edged Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the Champions League, showcasing their depth despite a packed schedule. At home, Barcelona remain unbeaten since the Camp Nou’s reopening, averaging nearly three goals per game – a statistic that spells trouble for visiting defenses.

Osasuna, sitting 15th with 15 points, are the definition of inconsistency. They’ve managed just one league win since October, but a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over Levante last Monday has sparked faint hopes of climbing out of the relegation mire. Away from El Sadar, however, their record is dismal: two points from eight outings and a paltry three goals scored. Under Alessio Lisci, they’ve been defensively resilient – conceding fewer goals than Barcelona overall – but their attack has sputtered, managing just 14 strikes all season. Can Ante Budimir rediscover his scoring touch from earlier this year, when he bagged a brace against Barça?

Head-to-head, Barcelona hold the edge, winning the reverse fixture earlier in 2025. But Osasuna’s last triumph over the hosts in 2024 serves as a reminder: never underestimate the underdog’s bite.

Predicted Lineups: Attack-Minded Barça vs Cautious Osasuna

Barcelona are expected to stick with their fluid 4-2-3-1, emphasizing possession and width. Flick’s tweaks could see Yamal pulling strings centrally, allowing Raphinha and Rashford to exploit the flanks.

Barcelona Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): John Garcia (GK); Jules Koundé, Cubarsian Peace, Gerard Martin, Alejandro Bald; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Raphinha, Marcus Rashford; Ferran Towers.

Osasuna Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sergio Herrera (GK); Valentín Rosier, Alejandro Catena, Flavien Boyomo, Abel Bretones; Lucas Torró, Jon Moncayola; Rubén García, Aimar Oroz, Víctor Muñoz; Before Budimir.

Score Prediction: Barcelona to Prevail in Style

With Barcelona’s home dominance and Osasuna’s road woes, this feels like a golden opportunity for the leaders to hit the gas. The Catalans’ recent scoring spree – 15 goals in four league games – meets a defense that’s conceded in seven of their last eight away trips. Yamal’s shot volume (4.3 per game) screams goal threat, and Torres is in red-hot form.

Our Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Osasuna


TOPICS:

Barcelona Osasuna

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