Real Madrid vs Osasuna Preview: Start Time, Team News, How To Watch, Live Stream & Odds

Fresh from a statement 4-1 dismantling of Real Sociedad and a mid-week victory over Benfica in Lisbon, Real Madrid travel to Pamplona on Friday evening aiming to stretch their La Liga winning streak to nine and protect a two-point lead at the summit. Los Blancos have not dropped a league point since 14 December, a surge that coincides with Barcelona’s recent stumbles and has tilted the title race firmly in Madrid’s favour.

Standing between them and another three points is an Osasuna side unbeaten in five league outings (most recently a 0-0 stalemate with Elche) and only five points adrift of the European places. Jagoba Arrasate’s men held their own in the reverse fixture at the Bernabéu, where a solitary Kylian Mbappé penalty settled matters, and will hope a raucous El Sadar crowd can help spring an upset against the competition’s form team.

Carlo Ancelotti is expected to shuffle his pack with the second leg of the Champions League playoff looming. Mbappé, who nursed a knee complaint through the Benfica win, is available but still short of 100 per cent fitness. Jude Bellingham remains sidelined, while Rodrygo is rated questionable. One certain returnee is defender Raúl Asencio after serving a European suspension.

Kick-off is scheduled for 18:30 CET (12:30 p.m. ET, 9:30 a.m. PT, 5:30 p.m. GMT). Viewers in the United States can stream the contest live on ESPN+, while La Liga TV provides coverage in the United Kingdom. Odds makers have installed Madrid as solid road favourites, though Osasuna’s recent resilience at home suggests the handicap may be narrower than the standings imply.

Real Madrid have lost only once in their last 21 competitive fixtures, winning 16 and drawing five, a run that underlines the size of the task facing the hosts. Still, with European qualification within touching distance, Los Rojillos have every incentive to trade punches with the league leaders under the Friday night lights.