Prediction: Barcelona vs Osasuna – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts

Verdict: Barcelona to score in both halves

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Marking their return from March’s international break on Thursday night, Barcelona will welcome Osasuna to Catalonia.

Barcelona

Starting with the hosts, while some around Catalonia might have been shocked last summer following Hansi Flick’s arrival, Barcelona have embarked on a sensational rise under the former Bayern Munich boss. Heading into March’s international break with a famous late comeback away at Atletico Madrid as they claimed a pulsating 4-2 victory, the Spanish giants are enjoying a remarkable purple patch. Marking their return on Thursday night leading the chase at the top of the La Liga table, Flick’s side will be looking to lay down another title marker here. Booking their Champions League quarter-final ticket earlier in the month as they secured a 4-1 aggregate win against Benfica, Barca have not suffered a single defeat across any competition since opening the New Year. It should also be noted, Flick’s men have won each of their previous four La Liga matchups in Catalonia by an aggregate score of 13-1.

Barcelona Team News

Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Barcelona will once again be without the duo of Marc-Andre her Stegen and former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen on Thursday night.

Coming off the bench and bagging a dramatic brace away at Atletico Madrid prior to March’s international break, ex-Manchester City star Ferran Torres could be handed a full recall. Despite being omitted from Spain’s Nations League squad, academy graduate Gavi should feature in Catalonia.

Osasuna

As for the visitors, while some in Osasuna’s camp might have opened up the 2024/25 campaign with their sights set on mounting a top-half charge, Vicente Moreno’s men find themselves at the heart of a real struggle. Heading into March’s fortnight interval with a 2-1 defeat at home against Getafe, Los Rojillos could be looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Signing off February with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Celta Vigo, Osasuna have remarkably mustered just a single La Liga win from any of their previous 15 appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to November 2nd. Rightfully pencilled in as a landslide underdog when they travel to Catalonia in midweek, it should also be noted that Moreno’s camp have notched just a sole victory on their travels so far this season.

Osasuna Team News

Shown what was a costly first-half booking against Getafe prior to March’s international break, former Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder Lucas Torro will serve a one-match suspension here. However, heading into Thursday’s showdown, Osasuna have reported a clean bill of health.

Finding the net while away with Croatia over the past week and enjoying what has been a real La Liga flurry this season, attacking talisman Ante Budimir will lead the line in Catalonia. Academy graduate Amir Oroz could be handed a full recall in the middle of the park.

Barcelona vs Osasuna Key Factors to Consider

• When Barcelona and Osasuna met for their reverse La Liga meeting on September 28th, Los Rojillos collected a sensational 4-2 victory on home soil.
• However, Barcelona have not suffered a single defeat across any competition since opening the New Year.
• Flick’s side have won their previous four La Liga showdowns in Catalonia by an aggregate score of 13-1.
• Osasuna have mustered just a single La Liga win from any of their previous 15 appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to November 2nd.
• Likewise, Thursday’s guests have notched just a sole La Liga victory on their travels so far this season.

Conclusion

While Barcelona might have slumped to a remarkable 4-2 loss when they travelled to Navarre back in September, the Spanish giants will be smelling a golden opportunity here. Marking their return from the fortnight break leading the chase at the top of the La Liga table, Flick’s high-flying squad are riding a real wave of momentum. Winning all of their previous four La Liga showdowns in Catalonia by an aggregate score of 13-1, Thursday’s hosts will be looking to lay down another title marker on home soil.

Verdict: Barcelona to score in both halves

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet