LaLiga 2022-23: Osasuna vs Real Madrid: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

Los Rojillos will be looking to create an upset against the Los Blancos

Reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid travel to Pamplona to face Osasuna as Los Blancos look to keep their title hopes alive in LaLiga. Los Blancos will enter the clash off the back of a 4-0 win over basement side Elche on Wednesday night, while Osasuna, who sit ninth in the table, drew 0-0 with Real Valladolid last weekend.

The home team has really struggled for victories in the Spanish top flight, winning just one of their last eight matches in LaLiga. Jagoba Arrasate's side is only three points behind sixth-placed Rayo Vallecano in the race for European football, Osasuna has become draw specialists of late, drawing four of their previous six matches in the league. After winning the FIFA World Club Cup, Los Blancos hammered hapless Elche 4-0 on Wednesday night. The victory means that Real Madrid has claimed victories in three of their last five LaLiga matches.

Kick-off:

Saturday, 18-02-2023; 8:00 PM (GMT)

Sunday, 19-02-2023; 1:30 am (IST)

Osasuna (Form All Competitions): W-D-W-L-D-D

Real Madrid (Form All Competitions): D-W-L-W-W-W

Players to Watch

Osasuna: Ez Abde

The guy is a phenomenal dribbler. He takes on the fullback repeatedly and beats them consistently. This helps in creating overloads and dangerous offensive situations.  He's also a strong and determined character which always helps in succeeding. He’s skilled to manipulate the ball in tight spaces and has excellent acceleration and pace. He’s also quite physical to resist challenges at his age. 

Real Madrid: Federico Valverde

Valverde’s versatility and adaptability is his biggest strength, having slotted into various roles, offering a consistent balance between attack and defence, and proving his weight. Valverde is a player who tries not to risk too much with the ball but still remains very composed with the ability to get out of tight spaces when pressed – prioritizing simple and safe passes.  He is capable of receiving the ball with the correct body position, almost always taking a positive touch going forward and protecting it with his body,  making him a safe option in possession. Valverde stands out for his physique, tactical and positional intelligence, commitment, and consistency. His reliability in tackling stands out, which added to his great speed gives the team plenty of security and mobility.

Match Facts

• The most common result of matches between CA Osasuna and Real Madrid is 0-2. 6 matches have ended with this result.
• CA Osasuna's last home win against Real Madrid was in 2011.
• During the last 41 meetings, CA Osasuna has won 5 times, there have been 10 draws while Real Madrid has won 26 times. The goal difference is 85-36 in favour of Real Madrid.

Injury and team news

Osasuna's squad will be boosted by the return of Abde Ezzalzouli following a suspension, and the on-loan Barcelona attacker is expected to return to the starting side for this match. However, Ezequiel Avila, who has seven league goals this season, and Juan Cruz will now serve bans of their own, while Aimar Oroz, Ruben Pena and Nacho Vidal are out of the clash with the champions due to injury problems.

As for Real Madrid, Ancelotti said ahead of the match with Elche that Thibaut Courtois would return from a thigh problem against Osasuna this weekend. Los Blancos will again definitely be without the services of Ferland Mendy due to a hamstring problem, though, while Eden Hazard remains a major doubt due to a knee issue.

Head-to-head stats

Matches: 41

Osasuna: 5

Real Madrid: 26

Draws: 10

Predicted Lineup

Osasuna predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Fernandez; Moncayola, Aridane, U Garcia, Sanchez; Ibanez, Torro, M Gomez; Ezzalzouli, Budimir, K Garcia

Real Madrid predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Rudiger, Alaba; Modric, Tchouameni, Ceballos; Valverde, Benzema, Vinicius

Prediction

Osasuna comes into this on the back of a goalless draw away to Real Valladolid in their most recent outing, last weekend. The home team have enjoyed another impressive La Liga campaign but has drifted into mid-table after a run of one win in eight league matches. They now face a Real Madrid side that is chasing Barcelona, under the management of Carlo Ancelotti. The visitors hammered bottom-of-the-table Elche by four goals to nil during the midweek. Los Blancos are favourites to grind out another win in what should be a low-scoring encounter against stubborn opposition at a tough venue.

Prediction: Osasuna 0-1 Real Madrid

Telecast

India: Sports 18, Voot and Jio Cinema

UK: La Liga TV

USA: ESPN +

Nigeria: SuperSport