Preview: Osasuna vs. Barcelona – Prediction, Team News, Lineups
Barcelona will be looking to secure their eighth consecutive victory at the start of a La Liga season for only the second time in their history when they visit El Sadar to face Osasuna on Saturday night.
The Catalan club has been flawless in La Liga this season, collecting 21 points from seven games to lead the standings, while Osasuna’s strong start has placed them in seventh.
Match preview
Osasuna have won three, drawn two, and lost two of their seven La Liga games this season, earning 11 points, which places them seventh in the table, just one point behind fourth-placed Atletico Madrid.
Now managed by Vicente Moreno, Los Rojillos have taken four points from their last two outings, defeating Las Palmas at home last weekend and drawing 0-0 with Valencia on Tuesday.
They have been strong at home this season, collecting 10 points from a possible 12, and have won their last three matches at El Sadar against Mallorca, Celta Vigo, and Las Palmas.
Last season, Osasuna finished 11th in La Liga, a slight disappointment after placing seventh in 2022-23 and reaching the Copa del Rey final that year.
Osasuna have not beaten Barcelona in La Liga since July 2020 and have lost their last five meetings with the Catalans, including a 2-1 defeat in the corresponding fixture last season.
Barcelona’s impressive start to the season is even more remarkable given their injury issues, and another win on Saturday would equal their best-ever start to a La Liga campaign.
The Catalan club previously won their first eight league matches in the 2013-14 season, meaning they are now just two victories away from matching that record, a notable feat for new head coach Hansi Flick.
Although Barcelona lost 2-1 to Monaco in their Champions League opener on September 19, they bounced back with a dominant 5-1 win over Villarreal last weekend.
Robert Lewandowski’s goal secured a 1-0 victory over Getafe on Wednesday night, bringing Flick’s team to 21 points from seven matches and putting them four points ahead of second-placed Real Madrid, who face Atletico Madrid this weekend.
While there’s still a long way to go in the season, Barcelona have the opportunity to extend their lead over the reigning champions to seven points, a significant advantage at this stage.
The club hopes to have Frenkie de Jong back before the October international break, but they were dealt a blow with the news that goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen will miss the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury sustained against Villarreal.
**Osasuna La Liga form:**
W L W L W D
**Barcelona La Liga form:**
W W W W W W
**Barcelona form (all competitions):**
W W W L W W
Team News
Osasuna remain without long-term absentees Iker Munoz and Kike Barja, but the team is otherwise in good shape for this weekend’s match.
No player has scored more than once for Osasuna this season, with goals being spread across the squad, but there could be a change in the attacking lineup on Saturday, with Ante Budimir possibly returning to the starting XI.
Bryan Zaragoza is also likely to be included, as head coach Vicente Moreno is expected to make a couple of adjustments to the team that started against Valencia.
For Barcelona, eight players were absent against Getafe, and the same will apply here, with Ter Stegen, De Jong, Ronald Araujo, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Andreas Christensen, Gavi, and Marc Bernal all sidelined due to injuries.
Though Barcelona avoided new injuries in their last match, a change is anticipated, with Pedri likely replacing Marc Casado in the starting lineup.
Robert Lewandowski has been in excellent form, netting seven goals in his first seven league games, and the 36-year-old is set to be joined by Lamine Yamal and Raphinha in the attack on Saturday.
**Osasuna possible starting lineup:**
Herrera; Areso, Boyomo, Herrando, Bretones; Moncayola, Torro, M. Gomez; Zaragoza, Budimir, Oroz
**Barcelona possible starting lineup:**
Pena; Kounde, Cubarsi, I. Martinez, Balde; E. Garcia, Pedri; Yamal, Torre, Raphinha; Lewandowski
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