Real Madrid vs Osasuna: Match Preview & Predictions

• Real Madrid host Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday
• Los Blancos aiming to bounce back from two home defeats on the spin
• Carlo Ancelotti’s side already nine points behind Barcelona

The defending European champions stumbled to a dismal 3-1 loss at home to Milan on Tuesday evening, exacerbating the frustrations at the Santiago Bernabeu following a humbling 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in El Clasico.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men have struggled to go through the gears this season, with the addition of Kylian Mbappe having only made them worse. The experienced Italian must discover a way to efficiently configure his star-studded forward line.

Los Blancos are already nine points behind La Liga leaders Barca, although they do have a game in hand on their Clasico foes. Another slip-up is out of the question, with high-flying Osasuna – who beat Barca 4-2 earlier this season – likely to pose them a stern test in a repeat of the 2022/23 Copa del Rey final.

Osasuna have made an impressive start to the campaign and currently sit just three points off Madrid. Vicente Moreno’s outfit have won three games on the bounce, keeping clean sheets in victories over Real Sociedad, Real Valladolid and Copa del Rey opponents Chiclana.

Real Madrid team news

Aurelien Tchouameni is out of action / Mateo Villalba/GettyImages

Aurelien Tchouameni was the latest casualty in Madrid’s midweek defeat, being withdrawn at half-time due to an ankle injury. The Frenchman is unavailable for the clash with Osasuna and could be sidelined for the next month.

Federico Valverde was also taken off at the break with a minor back issue but he’s expected to recover in time for Osasuna’s visit. David Alaba, Thibaut Courtois and Dani Carvajal remain in the treatment room.

Vinicius Junior and Mbappe – who was left out of the France squad for the upcoming internationals – will start alongside one another once again on Saturday, although they are likely to be joined by the returning Rodrygo. Despite a disastrous defensive display against Milan, Ancelotti is unlikely to make changes in the backline due to a lack of depth and injuries.

Osasuna team news

Moreno has a full-strength squad for the weekend / Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/GettyImages

Osasuna have no injury concerns heading to the Bernabeu as they aim to continue their impressive form. Moreno is unlikely to make too many alterations – if any – from the same XI that were victorious over Real Sociedad and Real Valladolid.

Bayern Munich loanee Bryan Zaragoza has made a fast start to life in Pamplona and has already produced a goal and five assists in La Liga. Ante Budimir is the man he’s seeking to find in the number nine role. The Croatian has six goals this term.

Sergio Herrera has kept four league clean sheets between the sticks but will be braced for a flurry of shots from a Madrid side determined to redeem themselves.

Real Madrid vs Osasuna prediction

One would imagine that Madrid’s disappointing run of form will come to an end sooner rather than later. The idea of them losing three home matches on the bounce is unthinkable and they will be fired up ahead of Osasuna’s weekend visit.

The visitors are likely to unnerve a Madrid side lacking in confidence and without some key defensive cogs, but we’re backing Los Blancos to scrape a win on Saturday afternoon – even if it’s unlikely to be entirely convincing.

Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Osasuna

Credit: 90Mins