Barcelona vs Osasuna Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Barcelona are not at their best at the moment but they are getting results as they seek to defend the Spanish title with the next visit to Camp Nou being that of Osasuna.
Kick-off date/time:
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Barcelona preview: Barca getting by
Barcelona managed to defeat Eintracht Frankfurt by two goals to one in the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in midweek with a Jules Kounde brace but the Blaugrana were unconvincing in that clash against the Germans.
Hansi Flick’s side aren’t at their relentless best in La Liga either but, there too, they are getting results and a 5-3 victory over Real Betis at La Cartuja last weekend leaves them sitting four points clear at the top-of-the-table.
Osasuna preview: Lacklustre Osasuna
Following the appointment of former Mirandes boss Alessio Lisci over the summer, the Italian has implemented a very defensive and dull style of football in Pamplona with Osasuna having scored just 14 goals in their 15 games so far this season.
The visitors did manage to get themselves a much-needed and comfortable victory last weekend as they defeated Levante by two goals to nil at El Sadar with goals from Victor Munoz and Ruben Garcia.
Barcelona team news: Injury crisis has softened
Barcelona have been suffering from an injury crisis throughout the season but they now only have a couple of injury issues as both Gavi and Dani Olmo remain sidelined for the Catalans.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Joan Garcia; Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martin, Alex Balde; Eric Garcia, Pedri; Lamine Yamal, Bardghji, Rashford; Ferran Torres
Unavailable: Ronald Araujo (Personal reasons), Gavi (Injured), Dani Olmo (Injured)
Questionable:
Osasuna team news: Lucas Torro a doubt
One of Osasuna’s few attacking sparks, Lucas Torro, is an injury doubt for Osasuna this weekend, while fellow versatile attacker, Iker Benito, is a long-term absentee due to a knee issue.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Sergio Herrera; Boyomo, Alejandro Catena, Juan Cruz; Jon Moncayola, Iker Munoz, Aimar Oroz, Abel Bretones; Victor Munoz, Ruben Garcia; Budimir
Unavailable: Iker Benito (Injured)
Questionable: Lucas Torro (Injured)
Barcelona vs Osasuna prediction
Barcelona will be expected to get themselves on the front foot once again this weekend. The Catalans have been brilliant with a lot of intensity and aggression since Flick came in but their defensive fallibilities have been exposed on a fairly regular basis this time around. Osasuna are a side that will sit back and be defensive at Camp Nou before, likely, coming unstuck against far superior opposition.
Barcelona vs Osasuna tip: Barcelona to win
