Osasuna vs. Barcelona: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info
Barcelona will attempt to break their winless streak in La Liga when they travel to Pamplona, Spain, to take on Osasuna in Week 15.
The newly promoted club sit in last place and have only won a single match so far this season. If ever there was a time for the Blaugrana to end their stretch of three straight matches without a win, Saturday is it.
Date: Saturday, December 10
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
Time: Noon GMT/7:45 a.m. ET
Venue: Estadio El Sadar, Pamplona, Spain
TV Info: Sky Sports 5 (UK), beIN Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go, beIN Sports Connect
Team News
Barcelona rested a number of stars in the routine 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach in the UEFA Champions League, and with that competition now finished until the new year, most of those top players are expected to return to the squad.
Jeremy Mathieu has been sidelined since the end of November, and in all likelihood, he won't be rushed back anytime soon.
Per the club's official website, manager Luis Enrique invited nine Barcelona B players to train with the first-team squad, so there may be some youngsters involved on Saturday.
Neymar picked up a booking in the Clasico against Real Madrid and will be suspended.
Osasuna have been without long-term absentees Javi Flano and Didier Digard for some time now, but they avoided picking up any suspensions in the 3-1 loss against Sporting Gijon and are expected to field their strongest possible starting XI.
Potential Barcelona XI: Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Gerard Pique, Javier Mascherano, Jordi Alba, Ivan Rakitic, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Arda Turan, Luis Suarez
Potential Osasuna XI: Nauzet, Oier, Miguel Flano, Ivan Marquez, Carlos Clerc, Roberto Torres, Goran Causic, Imanol Garcia, Miguel de las Cuevas, Oriol Riera, Kenan Kodro
Preview
Barcelona haven't won a La Liga match since November 6, when the Blaugrana grabbed a superb victory at Sevilla—traditionally one of the hardest places to visit in Spain. Since then, the team has underperformed tremendously, playing lacklustre football and conceding too many easy goals.
The negativity was quickly forgotten in midweek, however, as the Catalans produced a vintage performance against Gladbach. Enrique was full of praise after the contest, per the club's official website: “The team was good throughout the game, despite going up against a very closed opponent.”
With Neymar sitting this match out due to a suspension, Enrique will have some decisions to make up front. Arda Turan scored three goals against Monchengladbach as the Brazilian's replacement in the Champions League, but Paco Alcacer could use the minutes to gain some confidence.
Turan is the likely starter, as he's the better fit out wide, and he deserves to be rewarded for his fantastic outing.
Per ESPN FC's Paul Carr, he joined an exclusive club by scoring a Champions League treble:
Osasuna have scored just 13 goals in La Liga this season, the second-worst mark in the division, so expect the Blaugrana to push forward and take plenty of chances early.
With Andres Iniesta finally back from injury and pulling the strings, the side should grab that elusive win.
Final Prediction: Osasuna 0-3 Barcelona
