Real Madrid vs Osasuna Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2024-25 Spanish Primera
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It has been a really tough few weeks for Real Madrid and the pressure is growing on Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid as Los Blancos now prepare to face an impressive Osasuna side at the Bernabeu this weekend.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Saturday 9th November, 2024 - UK – 1:00pm / US ET – 8:00am / US PT – 5:00am
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN have the exclusive rights to La Liga games in the USA, so Real Madrid vs Osasuna may be televised on one of their affiliated channels
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – Premier Sports / US – ESPN+
REAL MADRID PREVIEW: STRUGGLING MADRID
Real Madrid come into this weekend’s clash against Osasuna at the Bernabeu on the back of conceding nine goals in their last three matches at home. That includes a 4-0 defeat in the Clasico against Barcelona a couple of weeks ago before then losing by three goals to one to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
There are problems for Carlo Ancelotti has to deal with at the moment with Kylian Mbappe’s arrival confusing things in attack with the departure of Toni Kroos not helping things either. After not playing last weekend, Real Madrid begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting nine points behind Barcelona at the top-of-the-table.
OSASUNA PREVIEW: OVERACHIEVING OSASUNA
Over the summer, Osasuna lost manager Jago Arrasate to Real Mallorca and they appointed former Almeria boss Vicente Moreno. The Pamplona-based outfit have massively overachieved their pre-season expectations, despite playing quite poorly quite often, as they sit just outside of the top four and the UEFA Champions League qualifying spots.
The visitors come into this one on the back of a slender 1-0 defeat of Real Valladolid in their most recent outing at El Sadar last weekend with a 19th minute winning penalty from Ante Budimir. They have now enjoyed three victories across all competitions as they compete for European qualification.
REAL MADRID TEAM NEWS: KEY ABSENTEES
As mentioned, Ancelotti has some work to do to configure a cohesive attacking unit and find a balance for the likes of Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo.
They are missing some key players such as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and club captain Dani Carvajal with Aurelien Tchouameni also now sidelined.
PREDICTED XI (4-1-2-1-2): Lunin; Lucas Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy; Modric; Fede Valverde, Camavinga; Bellingham; Vinicius Junior, Mbappe
UNAVAILABLE: Courtois (Injured), Alaba (Injured), Dani Carvajal (Injured), Tchouameni (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
OSASUNA TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT
Osasuna have a fully fit and available squad for this weekend’s trip to the capital city to face the defending champions with no injury concerns or suspension issues.
That means that both Jon Moncayola and Kike Barja have returned from injury but they are likely to remain unchanged for this one given their good recent form.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Sergio Herrera; Jesus Areso, Alejandro Catena, Boyomo, Juan Cruz; Jon Moncayola, Lucas Torro, Aimar Oroz; Ruben Pena, Budimir, Bryan Zaragoza
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
REAL MADRID VS OSASUNA PREDICTION
Real Madrid have, as mentioned, struggled for any consistency or rhythm or even cohesion throughout the campaign. Even when getting away with it in the early months, they were very fortunate to do so. Osasuna have already beaten Barcelona this weekend but that did come at El Sadar so it would have to be said that this is a very different test. Madrid are favourites but an unconvincing win in which Osasuna get some joy is to be expected.
REAL MADRID VS OSASUNA TIP: REAL MADRID TO WIN & BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE