Osasuna vs Barcelona Prediction: Big Rob can score once again

Life under Hansi Flick has been a joy for Barcelona fans as they look to make it eight wins from eight this weekend when they make the four-and-a-half hour coach journey to Pamplona to take on Osasuna.

This match will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 from 20:00 on Saturday evening and our Spanish football expert previews the actions and makes his Osasuna vs Barcelona Predictions for the La Liga clash...

Barcelona made it seven wins from seven to start the new season in La Liga in midweek. They have a big opportunity away to Osasuna on Saturday to open up a seven point advantage at the top of the table which would pile the pressure on the Madrid clubs who meet in the derby the following day. 

At the very least, Barça have already made it clear that they mean serious business this year under Hansi Flick. The German coach exudes calm and his reign so far has been in complete contrast to the chaotic second half of last season when uncertainty over Xavi’s future frequently overshadowed events on the pitch. 

Big wins over Real Valladolid, Girona and Villarreal suggest that the Catalans have made significant strides forward already under Flick. They’ve been excellent in attack with Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal forming a dynamic front three that has started every game and contributed 15 of their 23 league goals. 

The Barça boss has needed to be more flexible in other positions though to account for growing injury problems. Pablo Torre, no more than a fringe player on loan at Girona last season, has started the last two matches. Meanwhile Iñaki Peña has taken over from  

Marc-André ter Stegen in goal, after the German suffered what was most likely a season-ending injury in the big win at the Estadio de la Cerámica last weekend. 

With rotation options limited, Flick has been reluctant to rest more than one or two of his regulars though, with Pedri the only obvious starter to get a breather in midweek against Getafe. 

Barcelona won that match 1-0 thanks to a First Half strike from Lewandowski. However, it was perhaps their least convincing win since the first two games of the season, with signs of fatigue creeping in. They were still clearly the stronger side, but visiting striker Borja Mayoral did spurn a great late chance to snatch a point for his side. 

This has the potential to be a tricky game against an Osasuna side that takes good home form into the match. They’ve taken 10 points from their four outings at El Sadar this term, a strong start for Vicente Moreno, the replacement for the long-serving and immensely popular Jagoba Arrasate in the summer. 

In five top flight campaigns under Arrasate, Osasuna didn’t finish lower than 11th and were widely perceived to have punched above their weight. That leaves Moreno, who was sacked by basement club Almeria a year ago this weekend, with big shoes to fill. 

It has been something of a mixed picture overall for the 49-year-old overall so far. While Osasuna head into this fixture following three straight home wins over Mallorca, Celta Vigo and Las Palmas, they have benefited from a favourable schedule and have been considerably less impressive in their away games. 

In their only game to date against a side that finished in last season’s top eight, they were totally outplayed by Girona, managing just one attempt in a 4-0 defeat. They were also beaten 3-1 at Rayo Vallecano, before a more credible goalless draw at Valencia in midweek. 

Last season’s 17-goal top scorer Ante Budimir was rested in that game. As was Bayern Munich loanee Bryan Zaragoza who exploded onto the scene with an early brace for newly promoted Granada against Barcelona last October. Both are likely to be recalled here and Osasuna will be hoping that this fixture can spark some life into Zaragoza who ran rings around the Barça defence last term. 

Team News: 

Osasuna have three absentees, with midfielder Jon Moncayola the most significant of those. 

Iker Muñoz and Kike Barja are also sidelined with longer term issues. 

Moreno is expected to bring Pablo Ibáñez into the midfield as a result of the Moncayola injury. Having rotated out in midweek, Enzo Boyomo should return in defence, while it could be all change in attack with Budimir, Zaragoza and Rubén García all expected to start. 

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Flick suggested there will be some rotation here from the visitors, but he also emphasised the importance of Raphinha, Lewandowski and Jules Koundé, suggesting the trio will start. 

There is greater uncertainty about Íñigo Martínez’s involvement after a midweek knock, while 17-year-old Lamine Yamal is another ever present for the Catalans so far this season who is surely due a rest, either here or in midweek.  

Barcelona are still missing Ter Stegen, Gavi, Ronald Araújo, Andreas Christensen, Dani Olmo, Fermín López, Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong to injury. 

Osasuna vs Barcelona Odds

Barcelona are the 4/9 favourites heading into this match, with the Draw priced at 18/5. You can back Osasuna to record a fourth home win of the campaign at 11/2. 

Flick’s side come into this having scored nine in their last two away league games alone. If you fancy the visitors to get on the goal trail again, you can back Barcelona and Both teams to score at 13/8, while Barcelona and Over 2.5 goals is on offer at 19/20.  

Barça are also priced at 7/2 to score Over 3.5 goals, having done so in three of their last four league fixtures. 

They were less impressive in midweek though and if you fancy their 100% record to go on Saturday, you can back Osasuna or Draw at 13/8 in the Double Chance market. You can also back Osasuna to win either half at 2/1. 

Bryan Zaragoza took just 17 seconds to score against Barcelona last season, and he’s priced at 12/1 to score first here and 4/1 to score anytime. Lamine Yamal also scored in that match to become the youngest ever La Liga goalscorer and he’s priced at 15/8 to score anytime here. 

*You can check out all of the Football Odds we offer over at betfred.com

Bet 1 - Draw or Barcelona & Both teams to score @ 9/10 

Barcelona have been a resurgent force under Flick and while their injury problems do mean this squad is stretched to its very limit, they’ve dealt with a packed schedule extremely well to this point. 

WIth several in-form attacking players, it’s hard to see them not posing problems for Osasuna in this game, but their opponents have looked lively in their home fixtures, scoring in every home fixture, including five in their last two outings at El Sadar. 

Given that, I’m using the Bet Builder to back Double Chance - Draw or Barcelona and Both teams to score at 9/10 here. 

Bet 2 - Robert Lewandowski to score anytime @ 4/5 

With seven goals in seven matches, Lewandowski is the top scorer in La Liga and he looks to be really enjoying life back under the guidance of his old Bayern Munich boss. With the pace of Raphina and Lamine Yamal on either side of him, it feels like a balanced strike-force and it’s certainly one that is working. 

Up against an Osasuna defence that was weakened by the summer sale of their best centre-back David García to Qatari side Al-Rayyan, the experienced striker should enjoy another profitable afternoon. With Flick suggesting he will not be rested here, I’m backing Lewandowski to score anytime at 4/5. 

Mark Sochon primarily covers Spanish Football for us at Betfred Insights. You can check out Mark's La Liga Betting Tips along with those from the rest of the Betfred Insights Spanish Football writers on our La Liga home page...