When Barcelona hosts Copa del Rey finalists Osasuna to Camp Nou on Tuesday night, they will be hoping to make significant progress towards capturing the La Liga title.
Team Form
Barcelona
Last week, Barcelona suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat against Rayo Vallecano. However, the team managed to bounce back in their following match and secured a dominant 4-0 win over Real Betis at Camp Nou last Saturday.
Under the guidance of their former midfield maestro Xavi, Barcelona has accumulated an impressive 79 points from 32 league games this season. As a result, they currently sit comfortably at the top of the table, with an 11-point lead over second-placed Real Madrid. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, it seems highly likely that Barcelona will clinch the title this season.
For Xavi and his team, reclaiming the championship from their fierce rivals Real Madrid would undoubtedly be a significant achievement and a milestone moment. Another win in their upcoming match on Tuesday would bring them one step closer to this goal.
Barcelona La Liga Form: D D W L W
Osasuna
Osasuna’s recent form needs to be consistent as they head into their upcoming match against Barcelona following a 2-0 home loss to Real Sociedad on Friday.
The defeat has left them with 44 points from their 32 league games this season, placing them in the eighth position in the league table.
Despite being two points behind seventh-placed Athletic Bilbao and five behind sixth-placed Real Betis, Osasuna still has a realistic chance of securing a European finish this season.
The team will, therefore, be eager to get back to winning ways against Barcelona. Still, their primary focus will be the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on Saturday.
Jagoba Arrasate’s side will be looking to win the Copa del Rey for the first time in their history, earning them a place in next season’s Europa League.
Osasuna La Liga Form: W L W W L
Squad Report
Barcelona
Barcelona’s first-team squad has almost a full complement available for their upcoming match against Osasuna, with only Sergi Roberto being absent due to a hamstring injury.
The Spanish player is currently undergoing rehabilitation and may not return to action before the end of the season.
Osasuna
Osasuna will have a few injury concerns before their upcoming match against Barcelona. Darko Brasanac is currently a long-term absentee due to a serious knee injury and is unlikely to feature anytime soon.
Meanwhile, David Garcia is a huge doubt for the visitors due to a muscular problem. The club’s medical team is monitoring Garcia’s condition closely, and a decision on his availability for the match will be made closer to kick-off.
Barcelona’s expected starting lineup:
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Pedri, Busquets, F de Jong; Raphinha, Lewandowski, Gavi
Osasuna’s expected starting lineup:
Herrera; Vidal, Aridane, Cruz, M Sanchez; Moncayola, Munoz; Barja, Oroz, M Gomez; Kike
Head to Head
Barcelona has been dominant against Osasuna recently, having won 25 of the last 41 matches between the two teams.
On the other hand, Osasuna has only managed to secure six victories in these encounters, with the remaining ten matches ending in draws.
Time, Date & Venue
Date: Tuesday, May 02
Time: 06:30 pm, UK Time
Venue: Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona
Prediction
While Osasuna can make the match uncomfortable for Barcelona, the league leaders have been in fantastic form lately, and it’s hard to see them not securing a routine victory.
