Osasuna vs FC Barcelona: Time to believe in La Liga

Barcelona (FCB). The quest to cut down the seven-point difference on Real Madrid, the current Spanish League leaders, continues this Saturday in freezing Pamplona (Navarra). Barça have three key matches ahead of them in the domestic championship, starting this Saturday night against Osasuna. Valencia and Atlético Madrid will follow. The qualification for the final of the Spanish Cup (Copa del Rey) on Wednesday was a huge boost for FC Barcelona’s confidence, just as their European campaign is about to recommence.

Favourable history

Where FC Barcelona really need to improve is in their away form, where they currently have 4 wins, 5 draws and 1 defeat in the Spanish League. But they have already won at the old El Sadar stadium this season. That was in the Copa del Rey, where they were 2-0 winners, having already won the first leg 4-0. It’s three out of three so far for Barcelona this season against Saturday’s opponents, for they also thumped the Navarrans 8-0 at the Camp Nou in their league fixture.

Fighting tiredness

But despite facing some tough opponents and gruelling journeys, Barça also need to fight against the after-effects of such a congested fixture list in January and February. The great news is that some of the missing players are finally returning. Andrés Iniesta was able to play on Wednesday night against Valencia and Pedro is about to make his comeback too. 

Osasuna well placed

Meanwhile, Osasuna are sitting comfortably in ninth place. However, they have not won for five matches. Manager José Luis Mendilibar is also close to having his full squad back, now that Lamah and Cejudo have been declared fully fit. The Basque, optimistic as ever, said in his pre-match press conference that “beating Barça is very difficult, but it can be done”.