Since getting promoted from the Segunda Division via playoffs last season, Osasuna has struggled to find any form in the Spanish top flight. They have managed to win only once in their last 21 games and are at the bottom of the table, three points below the other two teams in the relegation zone, Sporting Gijon and Granada.
With Real Madrid’s game, postponed last week, the Whites now have two games in hand to capitalise on the slim lead over Barcelona and Sevilla. This should be an easy win for Los Blancos.
Team News
Real Madrid– After enduring some pretty long-term absentees, there is some positive news for Real boss Zinedine Zidane as right-back Dani Carvajal returned to training on Tuesday after he was sidelined for a month out with a hamstring injury. Playmakers James Rodriguez and Luka Modric could also be in contention to play. Gareth Bale is doubtful to feature in the next fixture but he is recovering well and will be available soon.
Osasuna – Good news for the manager as Javier Flano is back in training after his long-term cruciate ligament injury that kept him out of the game since August last year. Roberto Torres Morales will be serving his suspension and won’t be featuring in this huge fixture for Osasuna.
Apart from that, among the long-term absentees, Miguel Flano is out for the season with a meniscus injury along with Didier Digard, who is out with a cruciate ligament injury. Nauzet Perez remains another long-term absentee with a dislocated shoulder, while the extent of Mario Fernandez’s injury is yet to be known. He missed Osasuna’s 3-2 defeat to Real Sociedad and is unlikely to return in this game.
Predicted Line-Up
Real Madrid (5-3-2 formation): Navas; Danilo, Varane, Ramos, Nacho; Kovacic, Casemiro, Kroos; Lucas, Benzema, Ronaldo
Osasuna (4-3-3 formation): Sirigu; Berenguer, Garcia, Oier, Bonnin, Clerc; Tienza, de las Cuevas, Causic; Riviere, Kodro
Key Players
Real Madrid – The midfield pair of Mateo Kovacic and Toni Kroos will undoubtedly be a threat for Osasuna. With a Champions League game in the midweek, the boss is expected to refrain from using Luka Modric and James Rodriguez during the weekend. Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to get his scoring touch before stepping into the European tournament.
Osasuna – Sergio Leon could pose a decent threat to Real’s defence. The Spanish forward has netted six times this season.
Odds
Real Madrid – 1.22
Draw- 6.5
Osasuna – 13.00
