Barcelona will look to strengthen their lead at the top of the table when they host Osasuna in a Spanish La Liga clash on Saturday. The visitors have shown flashes of quality lately, but face a Catalan side, who are superb at home.
Barcelona took advantage of Real Madrid’s slip and opened up a four-point lead after claiming a 5-3 victory at Real Betis in their previous La Liga fixture. They followed up that result with a 2-1 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt in a midweek UEFA Champions League clash.
That result is part of a solid home record for Barcelona, who have won their last seven matches in all competitions at Camp Nou. Hansi Flick's men have also won every La Liga fixture in front of their fans this season, with a 6-0 victory over Valencia among their results.
Meanwhile, Osasuna are showing some good form lately and are unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions. They claimed a 2-0 home victory over Levante in their previous La Liga fixture.
Sitting just three points above the bottom three, the task for Osasuna will be to build on recent results and move further away from the relegation zone. However, their record on the road has been a bit erratic, with just three wins from their last 10 away matches in all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Barcelona highly fancied
The bookies have installed Barcelona as overwhelming favourites, with a home win priced at 2/9 by bet365. An unlikely victory for Osasuna is valued at 10/1 by William Hill, while a draw is set at odds of 6/1 by Paddy Power.
Head to head: Catalans no match for the visitors
Barcelona have a 27-5 advantage, with seven draws in the last 39 previous matches against Osasuna. The Catalans claimed a 3-0 home victory in the reverse fixture back in March.
Players to watch: Red-hot Torres
Ferran Torres has been on fire lately and scored a hat-trick at Real Betis to take his tally to 11 La Liga goals this season. The forward was also on target in the last meeting with Osasuna and will be the one to watch (Ferran Torres anytime goalscorer – priced at 5/6 with Betfred).
Ante Budimir has also caught the eye for Osasuna this season, scoring four La Liga goals so far. The striker could be worth keeping an eye on (Ante Budimir anytime goalscorer – valued at 2/1 by bet365).
Probable line-ups:
Barcelona are likely to be without Gavi and Dani Olmo, who are both sidelined with injury. Torres was a second-half substitute against Frankfurt and could earn a start on Saturday, while Gerard Martin is set to feature at the back.
Lucas Toro and Iker Benito are currently sidelined with injury and are likely to miss Saturday's clash. Budimir should lead the line once again, while Alejandro Catena is expected to continue at the back.
Barcelona: Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, Martin, Balde, De Jong, Pedri, Yamal, Raphinha, Rashford, Torres.
Osasuna: Herrera, Boyomo, Catena, Argubide, Moncayola, Munoz, Oroz, Bretones, Munoz, Garcia, Budimir.
Anything else catch the eye?
Five of Barcelona’s last six matches have produced over 3.5 goals – available at 3/4 on William Hill. The Catalans have also scored in both halves in four of their last five home matches (Barcelona to score in both halves – offered at 8/13 on William Hill).
Barcelona have won by two or more goals in four of their last five home matches (Barcelona -1 handicap – set at odds of 6/10 by William Hill).
When one side looks too strong, a handicap bet can even things up. Learn how in our Handicap Betting Masterclass.
GambleAware