Osasuna vs Barcelona, La Liga: Preview

Referee: Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos

VAR: Valentín Pizarro Gómez

How to watch on TV: ESPN Deportes (USA), SuperSport (Nigeria), others

****How to watch online: ESPN+ (USA), Disney Plus (UK), FanCode (India), DAZN (Spain), others

Following an excellent win over Getafe and a full week of rest, recovery and preparation, Barcelona return to action looking for another huge step towards clinching the La Liga title when they travel to Pamplona to face Osasuna at El Sadar on Saturday Night Fútbol.

Barça come into this one looking for three more points to open up a 14-point gap at the top of the standings, which means that if Barça win on Saturday and Real Madrid fail to beat Espanyol on Sunday, the Blaugrana will be crowned champions this weekend. El Clásico next week would be a celebration, and Real Madrid would have to decide whether or not to do the guard of honor for their biggest rivals at Camp Nou.

That scenario sounds absolutely glorious, and it is absolutely possible given Madrid’s recent struggles. But Barça must do their job first to put all the pressure on their rivals, and winning at El Sadar is not at all an easy task. Especially this season.

Osasuna away is always a very tough game, and Barça were dominated in their last trip to El Sadar when Osasuna won 4-2 and handed Hansi Flick his first loss as Blaugrana manager. The Catalans haven’t returned since then, but they must be prepared for a war against a team that hasn’t lost a home game in any competition since November 2025.

Saturday’s hosts come into this one on a 10-game unbeaten streak at home, which includes impressive results such as a win against Real Madrid. Osasuna are safe from relegation but can’t compete for an European place, so they only have pride to play for in the final month of the season. Playing at home has been a true strength for a team that feeds off the energy of the crowd to play a highly intense, highly physical style, and the pressure from the fans will absolutely be essential as they try to bring the fight to Barça.

Hansi Flick’s team handled another brutal atmosphere away at Getafe last week and played some very good football, winning fairly comfortably and establishing their dominance against an inferior opponent. Osasuna have more individual talent than Getafe and bring more of an attacking threat with their wing play and set pieces, so they will bring a different type of challenge than José Bordalás’ side did last week.

Barça will be favorites to win but shouldn’t take this one for granted. Osasuna are really tough at home and have the necessary pace on the wings and aerial threat to cause the Barça defense plenty of problems, so the visitors must play well from the start and take their chances to avoid any major drama in this one.

This could be a title-winning weekend. But we must do our jobs first.

Let’s dance.

POSSIBLE LINEUPS

Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Joan; Araujo, Cubarsí, Martín, Balde; Gavi, Pedri; Rashford, Olmo, Fermín; Lewandowski

Osasuna (4-2-3-1): Herrera; Rosier, Boyomo, Catena, Galán; Moncayola, Muñoz; Garcia, Oroz, Moro; Budimir

PREDICTION

Osasuna have been unbeatable at home for the last five months and have the necessary tools to make this a very tough match for the leaders, but I’m still choosing the visitors to get the job done and have nine fingers on the trophy by the end of the night: 3-1 Barça.