Barcelona vs Osasuna: Line-ups, stats and preview

Barcelona vs Osasuna match preview

Barcelona will move four points above Real Madrid at the top of La Liga if they earn revenge on 11th-placed Osasuna on Saturday.

Los Rojillos’ 4-2 home win in the fixture on September 28 ended Barca’s seven-match winning run to start manager Hansi Flick’s first campaign in charge.

“We still haven’t decided, but we have to rotate,” Flick said of his selections for the return to domestic action following Barca’s 1-0 win at Benfica in their Champions League last-16 first leg on Wednesday.

“We’ll put the best team on the pitch. We have a good philosophy and think positively, pressing and focusing on how we want to play.”

Perfection does exist ✨ pic.twitter.com/jbpEI1fqCU

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 7, 2025

Osasuna manager Vicente Moreno has understandably fond memories of beating Barcelona. “Hardly anyone thought we had a chance, but we played a great game,” he recalled.

“Everyone was at their best and, in those key moments when they usually capitalise, they weren’t as sharp or things just lined up in our favour.

“These kinds of teams and players don’t make distinctions — that’s why they’re at the top and perform at the level they do. Every three days, they go all out, whether they’re facing the first-place team, the last-place team or a midtable side.

“They need to win, want to win and are always ready to play. So we can’t focus on anything else; we have to give our best and be at our highest level. If one or two players aren’t at their best, that gives too much of an advantage to a team like Barcelona.”

⚽🔝 58 goles para la historia

👇 Disfruta de todos los goles que han convertido a Ante Budimir en el máximo goleador en Primera División en la historia de Osasuna.#LALIGAHighLights pic.twitter.com/yHazDkZNCy

— C. A. OSASUNA (@Osasuna) March 7, 2025

Barcelona vs Osasuna team news

Alejandro Balde is a doubt with an ankle injury for Barcelona, while fellow defenders Ronald Araujo and Inigo Martinez are expected to be rested, as is midfielder Pedri.

Gavi is likely to return from illness in midfield, and 18-year-old Pau Cubarsi could start because the centre-back is suspended for the return leg against Benfica on Tuesday (5.45pm GMT).

Aimar Oroz scored twice inside 14 minutes in Osasuna’s 3-3 draw at home to Valencia last Sunday, but the midfielder is out with a left hamstring injury.

Goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez sustained a right-foot injury in training on Thursday. Pablo Valencia, a 23-year-old goalkeeper for Osasuna’s B side, completed training with the first team on Tuesday.

Barca vs Osasuna expected line-ups

Barcelona starting XI: Szczesny, Kounde, Cubarsi, Eric, Martin, Casado, Gavi, Yamal, Olmo, Fermin, Ferran

Osasuna starting XI: Herrera, Areso, Boyomo, Catena, Bretones, Moncayola, Torro, Garcia, Zaragoza, Barja, Budimir

How to watch Barcelona vs Osasuna: Live stream, TV channel

Kick-off on Saturday is at 20:00 GMT, with live coverage on LaLigaTV and Premier Player.

Various subscription packages are available. Via streaming and apps, Premier Player costs £15.99 a month, £10.99 a month annually, £120 a year upfront or £7.99 a month for LaLigaTV only.

The “mate” guy 🧉 pic.twitter.com/7LmK0ygfxT

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) March 7, 2025