Osasuna vs. Barcelona: Complete Preview, Team News & Projected Barca Starting XI

Last season Osasuna beat Barcelona 3-2 at home in February and essentially ended Barcelona's title hopes.

La Blaugrana had already played inconsistently in midseason while Real Madrid looked unstoppable at the time.

This season the hosts will not have the same midfield of last year and Barcelona is much healthier, so the result will likely be very different.

Team News

Barcelona

For the first time in almost a year, Barcelona will enter a match at almost full health.

David Villa is healthy enough to earn a start and may play from the opening kickoff with Sanchez and Pedro tired from the Clasico.

Osasuna

The hosts made a nice loan signing when they brought in Anthony Annan, but he is unlikely to feature against Lionel Messi and company.

Raul Garcia, one of the heroes from last season's upset, has returned to Atletico after completing his loan, and Javad Nekounam has also moved on.

The midfield will be significantly weaker without both players.

Starting XIs

There are a lot of possibilities for Barcelona given the mid-week Clasicos. Many of the starters will be tired, but will hope to start off well enough to get some rest in the second half.

Alex Song could make his Barcelona debut, but probably won't start. Perhaps David Villa could get some time up front, but that may likely only be from the bench.

Barcelona: Valdes, Alves, Puyol, Mascherano, Alba, Busquets, Xavi, Fabregas, Tello, Messi, Villa

Osasuna: Fernandez; Bertran, Flano, Arribas, Damia; Cejudo, Punal, Sisi, Loe, Etxarri; Nino

Prediction

Last year Barcelona failed to field their best starting XI in Pamplona and dropped three points in the end. The result will probably not be the same this time around, but the away fixture will still prove difficult.

Barcelona are coming off a big win in the opener and a victory over rivals Real Madrid in the Supercopa. Osasuna will not be quite as confident with a loss to Deportivo starting out their season.

The visitors may not field their strongest lineup, but look for a victory nonetheless. I expect at least a close victory for La Blaugrana.

It will be interesting to see if Barcelona's troubles away from Camp Nou continue under Tito Vilanova.

Max Towle will be taking fans through the match live as he blogs about it here.

Follow @MichaelCernaBR