Osasuna look to exploit under-strength champions

With the league title now assured Barcelona can be forgiven for turning their attention to the Champions League final but for Osasuna, their opponents this weekend, it remains a crucial match.

Barcelona became champions without even taking to the field as second-placed Real Madrid lost away at Villarreal last Saturday.

The following day coach Pep Guardiola sent out a team largely of reserves against Mallorca but while they lost that did not dampen the celebrations.

This Saturday, Guardiola will be without Andres Iniesta and Thierry Henry, who he hopes will be fit for the Champions League final next Wednesday against Manchester United, while he is also likely to rest a number of others including Lionel Messi.

For Osasuna they dropped into the relegation zone after drawing with Sevilla and now they face the monumental task of saving themselves against Barcelona and Real Madrid in the last two weeks of the season.

“The team want Barcelona to continue their celebrations onto the pitch but the reality is that they are not going to give us anything. They will play with those you do not usually expect to start and they will want to make an impression and then you will still have (Eric) Abidal, (Dani) Alves and Bojan (Krkic) in the team,” said Osasuna striker Walter Pandiani.

“We have to give more respect to Barcelona than anybody as they are the champions and for those who do not normally play it is only because they have ahead of them Messi, Henry and Iniesta.”

While Real Madrid, who take on Mallorca next, have second place assured the battle for European places below them is rife.

Sevilla are keeping their fingers crossed that their talismanic striker Frederic Kanoute will be fit to face Deportivo la Coruna, who are pushing hard for a place in the Europa Cup. Depor are two points adrift of sixth place but know that with Valencia and Villarreal also going head-to-head they have a good chance of making up ground.

It is set to be a crucial Valencia derby and Villarreal come into the match in better form on the back of beating Real Madrid.

“There is no margin for error now, it is a final. Whoever wins will be assured of a Uefa Cup place and to get into Europe by beating Valencia would be very nice,” said defender Diego Godin.

Comparatively, fourth-placed Atletico Madrid have what appears to be an easier task as they take on an Athletic Bilbao side which is already safe from relegation and low in morale after losing the Copa del Rey final.

At the other end of the table the battle is as fierce against relegation.

Defeat by Numancia has all-but sealed the fate of bottom-side Recreativo Huelva who now take on Racing Santander four points adrift of safety.

Numancia’s own hopes remain bleak but if they can beat fellow strugglers Getafe then that would considerably improve their outlook going into the final match.

Sporting Gijon, who travel to Valladolid gave themselves a life-line with victory against Malaga but they remain deep in trouble, level on points with third from bottom Osasuna.

Espanyol and Real Betis also recorded important wins last weekend but remain very much in danger and cannot be complacent when they play away at Almeria and Malaga respectively.

Fixtures – all 2000GMT

Saturday

Athletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid, Barcelona v Osasuna, Sevilla v Deportivo, Valladolid v Sporting Gijon, Almeria v Espanyol, Getafe v Numancia, Villarreal v Valencia, Malaga v Real Betis, Recreativo Huelva v Racing Santander

Sunday

Real Madrid v Mallorca