Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker:
Hoping to make it three La Liga victories on the spin this weekend, Barcelona will travel to El Sadar when they meet Osasuna on Sunday night.
Osasuna
Starting with the hosts, suffering a major second-leg collapse earlier in the week as they watched their Europa Conference League adventure come to a heartbreaking end, Osasuna will know that they have another huge challenge on their hands here. Eventually slumping to an action-packed 4-3 aggregate defeat against Club Brugge, Los Rojillos have struggled to find any kind of stability since opening up the 2023/24 campaign. Recording just a single win from any of their previous four appearances across all formats, Jagoba Arrasate’s men should also be worried by a nightmare record against Sunday’s guests. Hit with a 1-0 loss when they travelled to the Nou Camp on May 2nd, Osasuna have lost each of their last three meetings against the reigning La Liga champions by an aggregate score of 7-1. Likewise, it should also be noted, Arrasate’s side have claimed just one win from any of their previous 14 straight showdowns against Barca.
Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury, Osasuna will once again be unable to call upon Darko Brasanac on Sunday night. However, after serving a one-match suspension last weekend, Ezequiel Avila could be handed a full return here.
Snatching a stunning last-gasp winner against Valencia last weekend, 28-year-old Nacho Vidal will be hoping to make a first start of the season. Chimy Avila is still serving a suspension after being shown a straight red card against Athletic Bilbao last month.
Barcelona
As for the visitors, while Barcelona might have been disappointed after opening the 2023/24 campaign with a 0-0 stalemate away at Getafe on August 13th, the reigning Spanish champions have come roaring back. Making major domestic history last season as they stormed their way to a first La Liga crown since 2019, Xavi’s side have their sights firmly set on defending their domestic title this time around. Last seen putting in an action-packed display away at Villarreal as they eventually landed a 4-3 win, the Spanish icons have now mustered seven points from their opening three top-flight appearances. Really finding a clinical edge in the final third and with their bright start underlined by a routine 2-0 victory against Cadiz on August 20th, Barcelona should also be excited by an eye-catching record against Sunday’s hosts. Including a 1-0 win when the two sides last met at the start of May, Xavi’s side have won each of their last three meetings by an aggregate score of 7-1.
Team News
Sustaining a hamstring injury last month, Barcelona will once again be unable to call upon 20-year-old Pedri at El Sadar. The Spanish international will be joined on the sidelines by Ronald Araujo.
Opening his account last weekend after claiming Spain’s Golden Boot, former Bayern Munich record-breaker Robert Lewandowski will spearhead Xavi’s attack here. Once again impressing away at Villarreal and gaining a string of plaudits, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal should be handed a third straight start on Sunday night.
Key Factors to Consider
