Barcelona vs Osasuna Prediction - La Liga
Thursday night’s LaLiga clash between Barcelona and Osasuna at the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys promises to be a crucial fixture for both teams. Barcelona, sitting atop the league with 60 points, will be keen to maintain their lead over Real Madrid with a win. Osasuna, positioned 14th with 33 points, aim to distance themselves from the relegation zone.
Barcelona, despite being the clear bookmaker favorite, will miss key players Raphinha and Ronald Araujo due to post-international break fatigue. Hans-Dieter Flick’s side is also dealing with several injuries and a grueling upcoming schedule. However, the inclusion of Szczesny in goal and the availability of Lewandowski and Ferrán Torres bolster their prospects.
Osasuna, coached by Vicente Moreno, also face a tough challenge with the absence of Bryan Zaragoza and the suspension of Lucas Torró. Yet they’ll seek inspiration from their previous victory over Barcelona earlier this season.
With both teams shorthanded in defense and key players missing, expect goals from both sides. The recommended bet is for both teams to score in the first half. Mateu Busquets will officiate the match, set to be played under clear skies with a brisk temperature of 10°C.
Barcelona vs. Osasuna Prediction & Betting tip
| Barcelona vs. Osasuna Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Both teams to score in the 1st half: yes | 2.50 |
- With both teams missing key defensive players due to injuries and suspensions, goals are likely to come from both sides.
- More than 2.5 goals have been scored in 74% of Barcelona’s matches this season, indicating a high-scoring trend.
- Osasuna have managed to score in four of their last five games, showing they can find the net even against stronger opposition.
Barcelona vs. Osasuna Odds
| Barcelona vs. Osasuna Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Barcelona | 1.23 |
| Draw | 6.90 |
| Osasuna | 10.83 |
Barcelona, the bookmakers’ favorite, offers solid odds at 1.23 for a home win, highlighting their strong form and league-leading position. The odds for a draw are set at 6.90, reflecting the unlikely scenario given both teams’ current standings and form.
Osasuna, despite their recent 4-2 victory over Barcelona in their last encounter, is considered an underdog at 10.83. This is a testament to Barcelona’s strong home advantage and Osasuna’s mixed recent performances.
Barcelona Team Analysis
Barcelona Recent Performance WWDWW
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlético Madrid | Barcelona | 2025-03-16 | LaLiga | 2-4 (Win) |
| Barcelona | Benfica | 2025-03-11 | Champions League | 3-1 (Win) |
| Benfica | Barcelona | 2025-03-05 | Champions League | 0-1 (Win) |
| Barcelona | Real Sociedad | 2025-03-02 | LaLiga | 4-0 (Win) |
| Barcelona | Atlético Madrid | 2025-02-25 | Copa del Rey | 4-4 (Draw) |
Barcelona enters this fixture with an impressive run of form, remaining unbeaten in their last five outings. They’ve secured crucial wins, including a resounding 4-0 victory against Real Sociedad and back-to-back triumphs over Benfica in the Champions League. Their average goals scored in the last five games stand at 3.20, showcasing their attacking prowess.
Defensively, they’ve achieved two clean sheets in their last five games. This solid form places them at the top of LaLiga, tied with Real Madrid at 60 points but ahead on victories. Barcelona’s ability to score and defend effectively makes them formidable opponents.
Barcelona Key Players
Barcelona boasts a star-studded lineup that includes some of the top talents in La Liga. Robert Lewandowski, their top scorer with 22 goals this season, will be crucial in breaking down Osasuna’s defense. Wojciech Szczęsny, the goalkeeper, has been a reliable figure, maintaining solid defensive records. However, key players Raphinha and Ronald Araújo are missing this game due to international duty.
Expected lineup for Barcelona:
- Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczęsny
- Defenders: Jules Koundé, Eric García, Iñigo Martínez, Alejandro Balde
- Midfielders: Gavi, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo
- Forwards: Ferrán Torres, Robert Lewandowski
Overall, Lewandowski’s battle against Osasuna’s defenders will be a highlight, as he aims to exploit their defensive weaknesses.
Barcelona Suspensions & Injuries
Barcelona will face Osasuna with several key absences, both from injuries and suspensions.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Marc Bernal | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for the season |
| Marc-Andre ter Stegen | Cruciate ligament injury | Out for the season |
| Andreas Christensen | Foot injury | Early April 2025 |
| Marc Casado | Ligament injury | Late May 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Ronald Araújo | National team duties | 1 match left |
| Raphinha | National team duties | 1 match left |
The absence of Raphinha and Ronald Araújo due to national team duties significantly weakens Barcelona’s defense and offensive options. The injuries to key players such as Ter Stegen and Christensen further complicate matters, potentially impacting their strategy and performance in this match.
Araújo’s absence means the central defensive duty relies heavily on Eric García and Iñigo Martínez, while the midfield will lack the dynamism of Casado. These missing pieces could make Barcelona vulnerable to Osasuna’s counter-attacks.
Barcelona Tactics and Formation
Barcelona Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Starting Goalkeeper: Wojciech Szczesny
- Key Forward: Robert Lewandowski
- Midfield Trio: Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo
- Defensive Pairing: Eric García, Iñigo Martínez
- Notable Strategy: High pressing and quick transitions, focusing on width through attacking wingers.
Strengths:
- Consistent goal-scoring form, averaging 3.20 goals in the last five games.
- Solid defense despite key absences, conceding only one goal per match on average this season.
- Effective in creating chances and maintaining possession.
Formation summary:
- Barcelona is expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. With Eric García and Iñigo Martínez solidifying the central defense, the midfield will drive play-making with Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Gavi. Lewandowski and Ferrán Torres will spearhead the attack, capitalizing on their clinical finishing and ability to create space. This tactical setup aims to exploit Osasuna’s defensive weaknesses, especially with key players missing for the visitors.
Osasuna Team Analysis
Osasuna Recent Performance LLDLD
Osasuna’s recent outings have been anything but smooth sailing. With two draws and three losses (LLDLD) in their last five matches, Vicente Moreno’s side faces a challenging fixture at the Estadio Olimpico Lluis Companys.
- Recent Performances Overview:
Osasuna has struggled to secure wins, conceding goals and failing to maintain clean sheets. They scored an average of 1.20 goals per match in their last five outings, but the defense has let them down, allowing an average of 1.5 goals per game this season.
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osasuna | Getafe | 2025-03-16 | La Liga | 1-2 (Loss) |
| Osasuna | Valencia | 2025-03-02 | La Liga | 3-3 (Draw) |
| Celta Vigo | Osasuna | 2025-02-21 | La Liga | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Osasuna | Real Madrid | 2025-02-15 | La Liga | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Mallorca | Osasuna | 2025-02-10 | La Liga | 1-1 (Draw) |
Osasuna’s defensive frailties, coupled with a lack of recent victories, suggest that they will need a robust game plan to secure points against a dominant Barcelona.
Osasuna Key Players
Osasuna’s key players will play a crucial role if they are to upset Barcelona at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys.
Ante Budimir, with 15 goals this season, is their standout performer and top scorer. His ability to find the net will be vital against Barcelona’s defense.
Expected lineup for Osasuna:
- Goalkeeper: Sergio Herrera
- Defenders: Jesús Areso, Flavien Boyomo, Alejandro Catena, Jorge Herrando, Abel Bretones
- Midfielders: Rubén García, Jon Moncayola, Iker Muñoz, Bryan Zaragoza
- Attacker: Ante Budimir
Look for individual battles, such as Budimir against Barcelona’s center-backs, which could determine the match’s outcome.
Osasuna Suspensions & Injuries
Osasuna face some key challenges with suspensions and injuries for their upcoming match against Barcelona. Suspensions:
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Lucas Torró | Yellow cards | 29/03/2025 |
| Injuries: | ||
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
| Bryan Zaragoza | Hamstring injury | Doubtful |
| Unai Garcia | Physical discomfort | Doubtful |
Lucas Torró’s suspension due to yellow card accumulation will leave a notable gap in their midfield, affecting their ability to control the center of the park. Bryan Zaragoza, who has recently added creativity to their flank, is doubtful due to a hamstring injury, potentially reducing their attacking threat. Unai Garcia’s physical discomfort also poses questions about their defensive solidity. These absences create significant challenges for Vicente Moreno’s side as they face the league leaders.
Osasuna Tactics and Formation
Osasuna’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-3-3
- Key Forward: Ante Budimir
- Midfield Trio: Rubén García, Jon Moncayola, Iker Muñoz
- Defensive Concerns: No clean sheets in the last five games
- Notable Strategy: Target crosses from the wings, especially utilizing Rubén García and Bryan Zaragoza (if fit)
Osasuna, led by Vicente Moreno, will likely employ a 4-3-3 formation to counter Barcelona’s attacking prowess. The focus will be on Ante Budimir up front, who has been their top scorer with 15 goals. Midfield dynamo Jon Moncayola will be pivotal in linking defense and attack, supported by Rubén García’s creativity and the industrious Iker Muñoz. Defensively, Osasuna faces challenges due to recent performances and key absences. Expect them to rely on rapid counter-attacks, looking to exploit gaps left by Barcelona’s aggressive offensive formation.
Barcelona vs. Osasuna Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osasuna | Barcelona | 2024-09-28 | LaLiga | 4-2 (Loss) |
| Barcelona | Osasuna | 2024-01-31 | LaLiga | 1-0 (Win) |
| Barcelona | Osasuna | 2024-01-11 | Super Cup | 2-0 (Win) |
| Osasuna | Barcelona | 2023-09-03 | LaLiga | 1-2 (Win) |
| Barcelona | Osasuna | 2023-05-02 | LaLiga | 1-0 (Win) |
Barcelona and Osasuna have had a series of mixed encounters over the last few seasons. Barcelona has generally had the upper hand, winning four out of their last five meetings, including a Super Cup victory. However, Osasuna did manage a noteworthy 4-2 home win in their most recent LaLiga face-off, suggesting they can pose a threat.
Venue and Weather
The setting for this LaLiga showdown between Barcelona and Osasuna is the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys, a venue that has become iconic for its grandeur and atmosphere. With a capacity of over 55,000 seats, it promises to be an electric evening under the lights.
Weather-wise, the forecast is near perfect for football. Expect clear skies with a temperature around 10°C. Humidity sits at 64%, and there will be just a gentle breeze with a wind speed of 1.16 m/s.
These conditions seem ideal for fast-paced football. Barcelona, known for their quick, attacking style, will likely thrive in such weather. Conversely, Osasuna might find it challenging to break down their opponents without the help of adverse weather conditions.
