By Graham Ruthven
Frontrunners
The pendulum within the Spanish title race has swung forwards and backwards over the course of the season, however Barcelona discover themselves again on prime of LaLiga.
Hansi Flick’s workforce are on an unbeaten run of 16 video games in all competitions and enter Saturday’s match towards Osasuna on the again of a complete 4-0 win over Actual Sociedad final weekend adopted by a 1-0 away win towards Benfica within the Champions League.
With Atlético Madrid and Actual Madrid not enjoying till Sunday, Barca have the chance to open up a four-point hole on the prime of the standings. This can be a probability for them to claim their place as title frontrunners.
Osasuna, in the meantime, want factors to push into the highest half of the desk. Vicente Moreno’s workforce have received simply certainly one of their final 14 league fixtures. A shock win over Barcelona would change the temper across the membership.
Key gamers
Barca’s assault is essentially the most harmful, and prolific, in LaLiga. No workforce has scored extra objectives than the Catalans this season with Robert Lewandowski their greatest finisher having netted 21 league objectives.
Raphinha can also be having fun with the season of his life having contributed 20 purpose involvements in LaLiga. The Brazilian is recent from scoring the winner towards Benfica within the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Lamine Yamal is Barcelona’s creator-in-chief and would be the brightest spark within the attacking third for Barca at residence to Osasuna this weekend. In central midfield, Pedri can also be performing on the peak of his powers.
Solely Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappé have scored extra objectives in La Liga this season than Ante Budimir who has discovered the again of the web 14 instances for Osasuna. If the guests can get him in behind Barca’s excessive line, he’ll pose a risk.
Bryan Zaragoza has struggled for his greatest kind this season, however the on-loan Bayern Munich winger is able to producing one thing out of nothing. Barca should be cautious of the risk he poses.
Staff information
Flick may rotate his squad with subsequent week’s Champions League final 16 second leg towards Benfica in thoughts. Nevertheless, Barcelona have been made to pay for over-rotating a few times earlier within the season.
Pau Cubarsí was despatched off towards Benfica mid-week, however his suspension solely applies to the Champions League and so can be accessible to face Osasuna. He’s anticipated to begin in central defence.
Andreas Christensen is match once more, but it surely may be too quickly for the Dane to make the lineup. Gavi is also accessible once more, though Marc-André Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal will miss out.
Aimar Oroz is a doubt for Osasuna after choosing up an damage in final weekend’s 3-3 draw towards Valencia whereas Juan Cruz may come into the lineup to exchange Abel Bretones.
Prediction
Barcelona ought to proceed their good kind and get the factors they need to keep in entrance in LaLiga: Barcelona 3-1 Osasuna
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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