Real Madrid’s Crucial La Liga Clash with Osasuna
League leaders Real Madrid are set to face a challenging test when they travel to Osasuna on Saturday for a crucial La Liga match. The fixture, part of Matchday 24, comes at a critical juncture as just one point separates Los Blancos from their city rivals, Atletico Madrid, in the league table. The high stakes are further compounded by Real Madrid’s recent injury woes, which have been exacerbated by a hectic schedule that includes the second leg of their Champions League playoff against Manchester City looming on the horizon. Despite these challenges, Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be determined to secure a vital three points to maintain their lead at the top of the league.
Osasuna’s Strong Home Form
Osasuna, currently sitting in ninth place in the La Liga standings, are just four points away from the top six, which guarantees a place in UEFA competitions next season. The Pamplona club will be eager to capitalize on Madrid’s injury crisis and their own strong home form. In their last league outing, Osasuna managed a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Mallorca. However, they will have to adapt to the absence of regular center-back Enzo Boyomo, who is suspended due to a fifth booking in the previous match. Jorge Herrando is likely to step in alongside Alejandro Catena to shore up the defense. Additionally, the club’s top scorer, Ante Budimir, is a doubt due to a knock he picked up in the last match. Despite these setbacks, Osasuna’s resilient performance at home, as evidenced by their 4-2 victory over Barcelona in September, suggests they will be no easy opponents for the Madrid giants.
How to Watch the Match
For fans in the United States, this La Liga match will be exclusively available through streaming services. The game can be watched on ESPN+ and the ESPN App, as there is no live TV broadcast scheduled for the U.S. market. ESPN+ offers a flexible subscription model, with monthly plans at $11.99 or an annual plan at $119.99, saving you $24 compared to the monthly rate. Subscribers can enjoy live streams of their favorite teams and a wide range of sports content, making it a valuable option for avid football enthusiasts.
Kickoff Details and Time Zones
The match between Osasuna and Real Madrid is set to take place at the El Sadar stadium in Pamplona, Spain, and will kick off on Saturday, February 15 at 4:15 p.m. local time. For those in the United States, the game will start at different times depending on your location:
- Eastern Time: 10:15 a.m.
- Central Time: 9:15 a.m.
- Mountain Time: 8:15 a.m.
- Pacific Time: 7:15 a.m.
Team Lineups and Injuries
Osasuna’s lineup for the match is expected to feature a defensive reshuffle due to the suspension of Enzo Boyomo and the uncertainty surrounding Ante Budimir’s fitness. The predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1) is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: S. Herrera
- Defenders: Areso, Herrando, Catena, Cruz
- Midfielders: Moncacyolo, Torro
- Forwards: Ru. Garcia, Oroz, Zaragoza
- Striker: Ra. Garcia
Budimir’s potential absence could significantly impact Osasuna’s attacking threat, leaving them to rely on the creativity of Ruben Garcia and the support of the midfield.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, are dealing with a more extensive list of injuries, particularly in the defensive department. The three first-choice central defenders—Eder Militao, David Alaba, and Antonio Rudiger—are all out of action, with Ancelotti likely to rest Rudiger to keep him fresh for the Champions League. This leaves Raul Asencio, a young and promising talent, partnering with defensive deputy Aurelien Tchouameni. Full-backs Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are also ruled out due to knee and muscle injuries, respectively. The predicted starting XI (4-3-3) for Real Madrid is:
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: Federico Valverde, Tchouameni, Asencio, Ferland Mendy
- Midfielders: Luka Modric, Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga
- Forwards: Rodrygo, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.
Ancelotti may also consider rotating his attacking lineup, with Brahim Diaz, Endrick, and Arda Guler ready to step in if needed. The talent and depth of Madrid’s squad will be crucial in navigating these injury challenges and securing a win.
Match Prediction
Real Madrid’s previous encounter with Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu in November ended in a 4-0 thrashing, with Vinicius Jr. netting a hat-trick. However, this time around, Osasuna’s robust home form and the absence of key Madrid defenders could make the game more competitive. Despite the makeshift defense, Real Madrid’s star-studded attack, featuring the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo, should provide enough firepower to secure the victory. The prediction for this match is a 0-2 win for Real Madrid, as their quality and experience are expected to prevail over Osasuna’s resilient defense and home advantage.
La Liga Fixtures for the Week
This weekend’s La Liga action promises a series of exciting matches. On Friday, February 14, Girona will face Getafe at 3 p.m. ET. Saturday, February 15, is a packed day with four matches, including the highly anticipated clash between Osasuna and Real Madrid at 10:15 a.m. ET. Other notable fixtures on Saturday include Leganes vs. Alaves at 8 a.m. ET, Atletico Madrid vs. Celta Vigo at 12:30 p.m. ET, and Villarreal vs. Valencia at 3 p.m. ET. The action continues on Sunday with Espanyol hosting Athletic Club at 8 a.m. ET, Valladolid taking on Sevilla at 10:15 a.m. ET, and Mallorca facing Las Palmas at 12:30 p.m. ET. The week concludes on Monday, February 17, with Barcelona welcoming Rayo Vallecano at 3 p.m. ET. These matches will be crucial in shaping the league standings and could have significant implications for the title race and European qualification spots.
