Osasuna vs Real Madrid Prediction & Betting Tips

Real Madrid make the trip to Osasuna searching for three points to strengthen their grip at the top of the La Liga table.

• Date: 16/03/24
• Kick-off time: 15:15
• Venue: El Sadar Stadium

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are still top of the table, with their lead standing at seven points over Girona with 10 games remaining. A victory would at least maintain their healthy advantage, or even extend it depending on other results. However, a loss would open the door for both Girona and Barcelona to cut the deficit.

Osasuna are in 10th, seven points off the top six which would be a European place, though there are four other teams ahead of them fighting for the same spot. They are in a very congested area of the table, with a loss potentially causing them to fall as low as 13th.

The visitors boast the league’s best defence by far, as well as possessing the division’s most potent attack. This means it will be a tough task for Osasuna to overcome the giants. With Jude Bellingham absent, they will have to focus their attention on the likes of Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Joselu, who have scored 25 goals between them. In their last two away matches, Madrid have dropped points against Valencia and Rayo Vallecano and have seen a man sent off in both. The hosts have scored more than once in just one of their last eight games, but they will probably have to do so this weekend in order to earn any points. They have scored just 31 goals in total this season, one of the lowest tallies in the league. Ante Budimir could provide the biggest threat, as he has scored 14 goals so far. Four of these have come in the last five.

Unsurprisingly, Real Madrid have been dominant in this fixture in recent years, as they have won six of the last nine meetings in all competitions. They are also unbeaten, with the remaining three games ending in draws. The reverse fixture earlier this season finished 4-0 in Real’s favour, with a Bellingham brace added to by further strikes from Vinicius Jr and Joselu.

Osasuna Team News

David Garcia is sidelined until late this month with a hamstring injury. Ruben Pena is a doubt heading into this game with a knock.

Real Madrid Team News

Jude Bellingham will serve the second game of a two-game suspension. Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois are nearing returns from cruciate ligament injuries. David Alaba is out for the season. Carlo Ancelotti should have a fit squad to choose from otherwise.

Osasuna Form Guide

In their last five games, Osasuna have won three, drawn one and lost one. Osasuna have enjoyed some good form as of late, though they suffered defeat in their latest game at second place Girona. It was a comfortable win for the hosts, with goals from Portu and Savio in each half. It meant they were unable to carry any winning momentum from their victory at home to Deportivo Alaves, which was a much more even affair, but they were able to get on the scoresheet through Ante Budamir, whose 76th-minute winner proved to be the difference between the two sides.

They saw more dropped points on their trip to Las Palmas, as the points were shared in a 1-1 draw. Both goals came in quick succession, as Unai Garcia opened the scoring for the visitors, before it was cancelled out just three minutes later. This followed a 2-0 win at home to Cadiz, as they comfortably dispatched of the relegation battlers. A Budamir brace secured all three points. This was their second victory in a row, after they beat Real Sociedad 1-0 away from home. Budamir scored yet another goal to clinch their first win of this stretch.

Real Madrid Form Guide

In their last five games, Real Madrid have won two and drawn three. Los Blancos have suffered a slight dip in form which has seen them held in a few games, but recorded a huge 4-0 win over Celta Vigo last time out. Vinicius Jr opened the scoring in the 21st minute, and this was a lead Madrid held until the 79th. Their advantage was doubled as Vincente Guaita converted into his own net. Carlos Dominguez added another own goal before Arda Guler scored his first for the club to complete the rout.

This followed a return to Champions League action in which they advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition with a 2-1 aggregate win over RB Leipzig. The second leg ended 1-1 after Willi Orban quickly cancelled out Vinicius’ opener. A trip to Valencia in the league resulted in dropped points as they drew 2-2. They were fortunate to not leave empty-handed as they fell 2-0 behind before Vinicius pulled one back on the stroke of half-time. Valencia held their own for the majority of the second half, but could not hold on as the Brazilian winger grabbed his brace to equalise.

Luka Modric rolled back the years as he netted an 81st-minute winner to seal all three points at home to Sevilla. They were dominant throughout but struggled to get past a stubborn backline. However, it was a good response to a disappointing 1-1 draw away at lowly Rayo Vallecano. Joselu broke the deadlock very early on, but Raul de Tomas converted a penalty before the half-hour mark to level the score. Dani Carvajal saw red very late in the game.

Osasuna have been in improved form as of late and could pose some issues for Real Madrid. However, the league leaders come into this game fresh from a large victory and we expect them to build on this momentum – Osasuna 1-3 Real Madrid

Osasuna vs Real Madrid will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.