Osasuna vs FC Barcelona predictions for this Liga Santander clash on Sunday at El Sadar Stadium. FC Barcelona, with no margin for defeat, need to win at all costs to get closer to earning a place in the Champions League. On Sunday, they will face Osasuna, who haven’t been playing on form recently. Read on for our free predictions and betting tips.
Osasuna
Osasuna seem to have stagnated in the league, having gone seven games without a win, with four draws and three defeats. After the first few matches played at a very high level, the Navarrese team have shown too many weaknesses, both offensively and defensively, in their matches.
Beyond having conceded six goals in their last five games, an amount corresponding with the team’s position, what is worrying about Osasuna is weakness in their attack, having scored just one goal over their last five games. No team has scored fewer goals in their last five games than they have.
Having scored just five goals in eight games at El Sadar Stadium, Osasuna are, along with Cadiz and Real Sociedad, the lowest-scoring home team so far. An average of 0.63 total goals scored at home.
FC Barcelona
The motivational effect of Xavi Hernandez’s arrival as Barcelona’s new coach seems to be over. The Catalan club lost the previous matchday, at Camp Nou, 0-1 against direct rivals Real Betis. Barça were unable to create any dangerous opportunity during practically the entire game.
Barça’s away record continues to be very worrying. In six games they have only managed one win, while draws and defeats have been counted on three and two occasions respectively. Only seven goals scored and eight conceded. Distractions on a collective level in many games have cost them dearly.
Barça’s main problem at the moment is that they have no striker, and they lack a centre forward, as Memphis Depay is responsible for that role, but it is not a natural position for him.There are issues with other key players, blighting the club, at the moment. Ousmane Dembele is currently more concerned about his future at the club and Kun Aguero or Ansu Fati have both suffered injuries. In the winter transfer window they should urgently sign a centre forward player.
We think it will be a very even match as either team is doing well. Even so, we consider Osasuna to be in worse shape than Barça. Xavi Hernandez’s boys know they can’t slip up any more, so every game from now until the end is a final for them. We don’t consider the fact that Osasuna are playing at home important because they are one of the worst home sides. So, we think Barcelona will win this match.