Osasuna vs Real Madrid Prediction: Team News and Lineups

It’s 9th vs 1st in La Liga on Saturday afternoon and our expert Nathan Joyes has provided his Osasuna vs Real Madrid Best Bet, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

The league leaders were held to a 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Atletico Madrid, landing Nathan his best bet of the match last weekend. With Barcelona beating Sevilla 4-1, they’ve closed the gap to just two points – and the title race takes yet another exciting twist.

Osasuna are still eyeing up a European spot but a 2-0 defeat against Real Sociedad left them five points adrift of 6th place after 23 rounds. At home, however, is where they have proven themselves, and head into this clash having lost twice in their last ten at Estadio El Sadar.

However, they haven’t beaten Real Madrid at home since 2011. Will that unwanted record be broken this weekend?

Osasuna vs Real Madrid Prediction: Rotations could open the door

Spain, La Liga, Saturday, February 15th, 15:15 (UK)

Those that backed my winning selection from the Madrid derby will feel pleased as punch, although the same can’t be said for Carlo Ancelotti and his team. 

Drawing with Atletico Madrid, after the visitors controversially scored from the penalty spot, allowed Barcelona to close the gap to just two points with 15 matches left to play. The league leaders now head into a busy period and Los Blancos must maintain their gallop at the front of the pack.

It’s far from time for Ancelotti’s men to panic, but it’s rare to see Real Madrid fail to win two La Liga matches in a row, and their shock 1-0 defeat against Espanyol will still be niggling away at them.

But for now, there’s little time to wallow. They have their Champions League campaign to salvage midweek before their trip to Osasuna.

Real Madrid head to the Etihad to face Manchester City on Tuesday evening, where we will have our first look at the new play-off system. This is the first leg, with the second to be played at the Bernabeu four days post-Osasuna. 

Ancelotti can’t afford to take any risks midweek, and this is potentially where we will see a slight rotation at the weekend, with one eye on that second leg.

Real Madrid can take confidence in the fact they have an excellent record against Osasuna. They’ve won their last five head-to-heads, including scoring four goals against them in their last three fixtures. As mentioned, Osasuna haven’t beaten them since 2011, and last took a point off them in 2022.

And while the Espanyol defeat taught us nothing is taken for granted in football, the visitors should, in theory, prove too strong against a side that has just won one of their last ten La Liga matches.

And that’s what the bookmakers firmly believe, pricing Real Madrid up as odds-on favourites to pick up the three points – but it might not be as easy as they suggest.

That’s because Osasuna’s forward Ante Budimir is a constant threat. The Croatian has scored 12 of their 27 league goals this campaign, who recently scored a brace against Real Sociedad which helped his team finally return to winning ways in La Liga.

The now 33-year-old also scored against Real Madrid in their 4-2 defeat at the end of last season.

This is where recent history can go out the window – to an extent. This two-legged Champions League match either side of the fixture throws in a curve ball, but perhaps creates an opening. 

Vinicius Junior scored a hattrick in the reverse leg – but will he get a full 90 minutes? Kylian Mbappe may also be rested in favour of Endrick, or at least substituted early to save his legs for the second Manchester City match.

If the visitors slip up, Budimir will be waiting to pounce.

Admittedly, there’s a full ifs and buts attached to this selection, but despite their one win in 10, Osasuna still have the 5th best home record in the league.

The hosts have at least scored in three of their last five home matches against Real Madrid, and with the visitors spinning plenty of different plates, the hosts can join them on the scoresheet – no matter what the outcome may be.

• Osasuna vs Real Madrid Prediction: BTTS Yes
• Best Odds: 1.727
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 7/10

Osasuna vs Real Madrid Prediction odds via bet365 as at 10:00, February 10th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Osasuna vs Real Madrid Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups

Real Madrid currently have no fresh injury concerns to worry about heading into this fixture. However, it may be best to keep an eye on their Champions League tie with Manchester City to see if anyone picks up a knock.

Osasuna are in a similar situation to Real Madrid, with a full-strength squad to choose from. Unbeaten in their last three La Liga matches, they are unlikely to make any drastic changes to their starting XI.

All eyes will be on Ante Budimir, who heads into this fixture on the back of a brace in his last La Liga match – which saw his side beat Real Sociedad 2-1.

Osasuna possible starting lineup:
Herrera; Cruz, Catena, Boyomo, Areso, Oroz, Torro, Moncayola, Garcia, Barja, Budimir

Real Madrid possible starting lineup:
Courtois; Garcia, Rudiger, Tchouameni, Asencio, Valverde, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Bellingham, Diaz, Mbappe

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