Osasuna vs. Real Madrid: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Pamplona’s Estadio El Sadar will be the stage for La Liga’s headline act on Saturday night as Osasuna welcome new leaders Real Madrid, who can open a four-point gap over Barcelona before the Catalans even kick a ball this weekend.

Álvaro Arbeloa’s side regained first place without lacing a boot, profiting from Barcelona’s 2-2 draw at Girona on Monday, and arrive in Navarre buoyed by a midweek Champions League win over Benfica that edged them closer to the last 16. The 1-0 victory in Lisbon was soured by allegations of racist abuse directed at match-winner Vinicius Junior, but the Brazilian’s clinical finish was a reminder of the firepower that has Madrid clicking into gear after an uneven start to the campaign.

Osasuna, unbeaten in five and without a home defeat since November, have every reason to believe an upset is possible. Alessio Lisci’s men sit comfortably in mid-table and have conceded just once in their last three league outings at El Sadar. Veteran striker Ante Budimir, already on 11 league goals this term, will spearhead the charge against a Madrid back line still missing Éder Militão and, more recently, teenage centre-half Dean Huijsen.

The hosts are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1: Sergio Herrera; Juan Cruz, Alejandro Catena, David García, Johan Mojica; Lucas Torró, Jon Moncayola; Chimy Ávila, Aimar Oroz, Abde Ezzalzouli; Budimir. Iker Benito’s season-ending knee injury and Flavien Boyomo’s ankle complaint are Lisci’s only significant absences.

Arbeloa, mindful of Wednesday’s Bernabéu return against Benfica, is poised to rotate. Jude Bellingham’s hamstring setback has lingered longer than anticipated, while Rodrygo’s minor issue rules him out until March. The good news comes in defence: Antonio Rüdiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold both re-entered the XI against Benfica and should keep their places, shielded by a midfield pivot of Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni. Expect Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy and 17-year-old prodigy Franco Mastantuono to return, with Vinicius and Kylian Mbappé forming a pace-laden front two in a 4-2-3-1 shape: Thibaut Courtois; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Jesús Vallejo, Mendy; Valverde, Tchouaméni; Mastantuono, Arda Güler, Vinicius Junior; Mbappé.

History favours the visitors: Madrid have lost only once to Osasuna since 2011 and scored 11 goals across their last three visits to Pamplona. With Vinicius and Mbappé combining for six goals in the past four matches, Los Blancos look well placed to extend that dominance and keep the pressure on Barcelona ahead of Sunday’s slate.

Prediction: Osasuna 1-3 Real Madrid – Budimir to notch another home goal, but Madrid’s star forwards prove too potent for the Navarrans to contain.

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