Prediction: Osasuna vs Real Madrid

Verdict: Real Madrid win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet

Hoping to find a route back to the top of the La Liga table on Saturday night, Real Madrid will make the trip to the Estadio El Sadar when they face off against Osasuna.

Osasuna

Starting with the hosts, while Osasuna might have picked up a routine 3-0 win against lower-league Olot in the Copa del Rey earlier in the week, that could just be a brief bounce for Los Rojillos. Although the Reds might have marked their return from Spain’s festive break with a scrappy 1-1 draw against a fading Real Sociedad last week, they still find themselves firmly at the heart of a relegation scrap. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat down in 19th and chasing a two-point deficit, Head Coach Jagoba Arrasate has seen his side remarkably fail to win any of their last nine La Liga contests on the bounce, a run that stems back to October 24th. Facing a stern test when the defending champions visit the Estadio El Sadar this weekend, Osasuna also hold a worrying reputation for their extended issues on home soil. Including back-to-back defeat against Real Betis and Villarreal last month, Los Rojillos have failed to win any of their last five top-flight matchups in Navarre.

Team News

Osasuna will be without both Chimy Avila or Ruben Martinez due to injury issues this weekend.

However, defender Oier Sanjurjo is available after returning from suspension.

Real Madrid

As for the visitors, while Real Madrid would have been disappointed to have had to settle for a 1-1 draw away at Eibar when drawing a close to their 2020 run, Los Blancos managed to make a routine return to winning ways last week. With their sites firmly set on claiming back-to-back La Liga titles this season, the Whites picked up a 2-0 win at home against Celta Vigo last time out. Sat just three points adrift of leapfrogging their crosstown rivals to top spot, Head Coach Zinedine Zidane finds his side enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run across all formats, winning seven of those appearances. Booking their spot in the knockout stage of this year’s Champions League, the defending champions should also be boosted by what is a rampant record against Saturday’s hosts. Including landing a thumping 4-1 win when they last faced off against Osasuna the Estadio El Sadar last season, Los Blancos have in fact won each of their last seven straight meetings against the relegation scrappers, a run that stems back to 2013.

Team News

Real Madrid have confirmed that Sergio Ramos will miss out on Saturday night due to a stomach issue. The Spanish defender will join Dani Carvajal and Rodrygo on the sidelines.

Key Factors to Consider

• Including a 4-1 win the last time they made the trip to the Estadio El Sadar, Real Madrid have won each of their last seven straight meetings against Osasuna, a run that stems back to 2013.
• Los Blancos are unbeaten in their last eight matchups across all formats, winning seven of those appearances.
• Osasuna have failed to win any of their last nine La Liga contests on the spin, a run that goes back to October 24th.
• Likewise, Saturday’s hosts have failed to win any of their last five top-flight contests on home soil.
• Four of the last five meetings between Osasuna and Real Madrid have seen over 3.5 goals by the final whistle.

Conclusion

Managing to make a return to winning ways with a routine 2-0 win against Celta Vigo last week, there is no doubt that Real Madrid should be smelling a real chance on Saturday night. Knowing that three points on the road could see them climb to the top of the table, the defending champions come up against a drastically struggling Osasuna this weekend. With the hosts failing to win a single La Liga contest since the end of October, it should be noted that Los Blancos hold a rampant record against the relegation scrappers. Landing a 4-1 win the last time they made the trip to the Estadio El Sadar and winning each of their last seven straight meetings against Osasuna, we’re backing a similar away victory on Saturday.

Verdict: Real Madrid win

Best Odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: Unibet