Preview
Real Madrid will aim at returning to winning ways when they host Osasuna at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Saturday night. Los Blancos had a glorious opportunity to climb to the top of the league table slipping through their hands following last weekend’s stalemates with Real Betis. However, defeats to title rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona has presented Zinedine Zidane’s side with another chance to take another shot at defending their title.
Los Blancos will enter the weekend’s fixture against the backdrop of their 1-1 draw with Chelsea in mid-week. A crucial test awaits the 13-time European champions in the semi-final second leg encounter at Stamford Bridge but they will look to boost their confidence with a win over Osasuna.
Currently, they are in second position- level on point with Barcelona who failed to demote Atletico Madrid to second place following Thursday night’s shock defeat to Granada. The pair trail Los Colchoneros by two points. In terms of form, Madrid may have a little bit of work to do to turn things around swiftly. Although they remain unbeaten in their last 18 outings, they have managed just one win and four draws in their last five meetings across all competitions.
With just five games left of the season to play, any more slip-ups could prove costly for the title-chasing side. In the upcoming meeting with Osasuna, the fact that they are unbeaten in their last 13 meetings with the club should set the tone for them to grab another important win.
But that is not to write off Los Rojillos who were able to hold the Merengues to a 0-0 draw when the pair met earlier this season. They could well complicate things for the Spanish capital club, having registered three important wins in succession before last weekend’s defeat to Celta Vigo. Their victories came away to Villarreal, and at home to Elche and Valencia respectively.
So far, Jagoba Arrasate's men have won 10, drawn 10 and lost 13 of their 33 La Liga games this season and sit in 11th position with 40 points. They are only two points behind eighth-placed Granada.
Team news
Sergio Ramos could potentially return to the fold for Real Madrid this weekend ahead of the crucial Champions League semi-final clash with Chelsea. However, Ferland Mendy and Lucas Vazquez are expected to be amiss with another injury. Ferde Valverde is also ruled out of contention with the midfielder still in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus.
For Osasuna, Ruben Martinez and Inigo Perez will both be amiss through injury. Other than that, the team should be in good shape to take on the defending champions.
Predicted starting XI
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Real Madrid: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Varane; Odriozola, Casemiro, Isco, Marcelo; Rodrygo, Benzema, Asensio
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Osasuna: Herrera; Jonas, U. Garcia, Roncaglia, Cruz; Oier, Moncayola, Brasanac; Jony, Budimir, Torres
Broadcast information
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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