Prediction: Barcelona vs Osasuna

Prediction: Barcelona to win 3-0

Best Odds: 8/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet

Barcelona and Osasuna will lock horns with each other in La Liga this week. The match between Xavi’s side and Jagoba Arrasate’s team will be held at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and is scheduled to kick off at 6 pm UK time on Wednesday.

Barcelona

Barcelona are going through a bad period. Their head coach Xavi has announced that he will step down from his role at the end of the season. Barcelona, who won the La Liga title last season, are unlikely to even mount a late challenge for the championship this campaign.

The Blaugrana are fourth in the La Liga table at the moment with 44 points from 21 matches. They are level on points with third-placed Atletico Madrid and are 10 points behind second-placed and bitter rivals Real Madrid. Girona, who are at the top of the standings, are 11 points clear of Barcelona, although they have played a game more.

Barcelona will head into the La Liga match against Osasuna on the back of a 5-3 defeat at the hands of Villarreal. It came after a 4-2 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey which came after a 4-2 victory over Real Betis on the road in La Liga.

Team News:

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso and Gavi all are injured for Barcelona. Sergi Roberto and Raphinha will not play against Osasuna as well. Although Inigo Martinez has recovered from a muscle injury, he is unlikely to be available. Barcelona head coach Xavi is likely to line up his team in a 4-3-3 formation. Pena will be in goal and will have Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi and Cancelo in front of him in defence. Pedri, De Jong and Gundogan will be the three midfielders. Yamal, Torres and Lewandowski will be the three forwards.

Osasuna

Osasuna are a modest club who are happy to be just in La Liga. They do tend to push as high as they can and ended up as high as seventh in the La Liga table last season. While it is unlikely that Jagoba Arrasate’s will do as well this time around, one suspects that they will be happy if they end up in the top half of the table.

Los Rojillos are 12th in the La Liga table at the moment. They have picked up 26 points from 21 matches. Osasuna are as many as 10 points above the relegation zone and are 10 points behind Real Sociedad in sixth. It is very likely that Oasuna will finish the season in or around mid-table.

Osasuna will head into the La Liga match against Barcelona on Wednesday on the back of a 1-1 draw with Sevilla away from home in La Liga. It followed a 3-2 victory over Getafe at home in the league and a 2-0 loss at the hands of Real Sociedad in front of their fans in the Copa del Rey.

Team News:

Osasuna are likely to line up in a 3-5-2 formation. Herrera will be in goal for Osasuna. D Garcia, Catena and Cruz will be the three defenders. Areso, Oroz, Munoz, Gomez and Pena will play in midfielder, while Budimir and Arnaiz will lead the attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• Barcelona have won 3 of their last 5 La Liga matches.
• Osasuna have won 3 of their last 5 La Liga games.
• Barcelona have scored 43 goals in 21 La Liga matches.
• Robert Lewandowski has scored 8 goals and given 5 assists in 19 La Liga games for Barcelona this season.
• Osasuna have conceded 32 goals in 21 La Liga games this season.

Conclusion

Barcelona have a much better team than Osasuna and are also at home for the match. While Xavi’s side have not been at their very best, they should not find it too hard to get the better of Osasuna in front of their fans.

Prediction: Barcelona to win 3-0

Best Odds: 8/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet