Barcelona's LaLiga title challenge remains this Saturday as they welcome Osasuna to the Olímpic Lluís Companys. Highly clear leaders at the table with a comprehensive 10-point lead, Barcelona are well-positioned to drive home their title challenge. Recent displays have been menacing, and five consecutive victories have highlighted both their attacking flamboyance and defensive solidity.
In stark contrast, 11th-positioned Osasuna make the trip to their home winless in their last five outings and needing a change to stimulate their poor season. The gulf in form between these two teams is staggering. Barcelona have repeatedly taken advantage at both ends of the pitch with a +46 goal difference, affirming their dominance in both attack and defense. They average a whopping 2.68 goals per home fixture, and no visitor would welcome them. Osasuna, on the other hand, have been shaky at the back, leaking in each of their previous 12 games and registering only a single away victory all campaign.
Robert Lewandowski is still instrumental for the hosts, with his 21 goals this campaign proof of his talent for breaking defences apart. For Osasuna, Ante Budimir's 14 goals are a ray of hope, although he has an insurmountable task at hand against Barcelona's solid backline. Barcelona have traditionally ruled over this fixture, having won 29 of their last 46 meetings with Osasuna. Their record at home is particularly telling, with them having not lost to the visitors in their last four at the Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Osasuna can, perhaps, take encouragement from their last victory against Barcelona in 2020, one that could prove a confidence-booster. To stand any chance, they will need to break up the hosts early and perhaps capitalize on Barcelona's tendency to open scoring in matches. A Barcelona win would extend their 15-match unbeaten streak further and cement their title-favourite status. For Osasuna, the game provides a chance to snap their losing run and pick up some badly needed confidence. With so much at stake for both sides, this should be a thrilling episode in the LaLiga season.
Barcelona - Osasuna Key Facts
FC Barcelona have a strong home record against CA Osasuna, who have won 17 of their last 22 encounters at Camp Nou, with a staggering goal difference of 69-10, which speaks volumes about how dominant they are and why they are huge favorites for this game.
FC Barcelona have been on an unbeaten run of 15 games across all competitions and have lost no games in their last 7 home games, showing their form and toughness, which is crucial for the punters who would like to stake their bet on their victory.
CA Osasuna have themselves been under pressure of late, failing to win in their last 5 games and having failed to keep a clean sheet in each of their last 12, showing a leaky defence to be exploited by the attacking prowess of Barcelona, with a multiple-goal bet for Barcelona therefore being a tempting one.
Betting Predictions
Primary Bet: Home Win @ 2/9
Barcelona's superior home record makes the Home Win bet an excellent choice. They have defeated 17 of their last 22 home matches against Osasuna and are unbeaten in their last five LaLiga games. Barcelona are also undefeated in their last 14 games, and Osasuna are undefeated in their last four games. With a good home record of 9 wins, 0 draws, and 3 losses this season, and a 77.09% probability of a Barcelona win, the 11/50 odds are good value. Historical head-to-head statistics also back this recommendation, with Barcelona winning four of the last five encounters between the sides.
Secondary Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ 2/7
The Over 2.5 Goals bet is well-backed by the attacking strength of Barcelona and the defensive weakness of Osasuna. Barcelona score on average 2.68 at home per match, and Osasuna have scored in their last 12 matches. The historical average of 2.6 goals per match in this game gives additional importance to the probability of an over-investment match. With Barcelona scoring in 17 successive matches and Osasuna struggling to keep clean sheets, the 79.65% over 2.5 goals likelihood makes the 29/100 odds a decent second option.
Editorial Pick: Robert Lewandowski to score anytime @ 4/6
Robert Lewandowski's 21 goals in 25 La Liga appearances this season make him the league's top scorer. He is always worth backing to score, especially at home against considerably weaker opposition.
