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Barcelona’s penultimate game before the World Cup will be played at Estadio El Sadar on Tuesday night, with high-flying Osasuna hosting the Catalan giants in La Liga.
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The visitors are coming off a 2-0 win over Almeria on Saturday, while Osasuna overcame Celta Vigo 2-1 to make it 10 points from their previous four games amid a good run of form.
Match preview
Since losing 2-0 at Villarreal on October 17, Osasuna have beaten Espanyol, Real Valladolid and Celta in the league, in addition to drawing 1-1 with Girona, and the strong run has seen them move into fifth spot in the table.
Osasuna, who have another game against Fuentes in the Copa del Rey on Saturday, suffered a 4-0 defeat in their last clash with Barcelona back in March, but the points were shared in a 2-2 draw at Estadio El Sadar last term.
Pique captained the Catalan giants on what was an emotional night for the centre-back, and Xavi’s side managed to secure an important three points courtesy of second-half goals from Ousmane Dembele and Frenkie de Jong, with the result moving them back to the top of the table.
Barcelona are currently two points clear of second-placed Real Madrid, but the champions would return to the summit if they manage to overcome Rayo Vallecano on Sunday night.
Barcelona will be targeting La Liga, Europa League and Copa del Rey success in the second half of the campaign, and it will be fascinating to see what the team can achieve this term, especially as more business during the January transfer window cannot be ruled out.
Team News
Osasuna will be missing on-loan Barcelona attacker Abde Ezzalzouli due to a thigh problem, while Kike Saverio is again expected to miss out with a tendon injury.
Sergio Herrera also remains a doubt, but the home side have no fresh concerns from their clash with Celta last time out, so it would not be a surprise to see the same XI feature here.
Avila is likely to be joined in the final third of the field by Kike Barja and Ante Budimir, while Lucas Torro, Aimar Oroz and Moi Gomez should again feature as the midfield three.
As for Barcelona, Pique is technically available for this match, but it is unlikely that he will play a part, especially with Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia now fit and available for selection.
Memphis Depay and Jules Kounde have again been left out of the squad, while Ronald Araujo, Sergi Roberto and Franck Kessie also remain on the sidelines through injury.
Head coach Xavi is expected to make changes to the side that started against Almeria, with Ansu Fati, Gavi, Eric Garcia and Christensen potentially coming into the XI.
Sergio Busquets could potentially drop out of the midfield for the first whistle, with Frenkie de Jong playing alongside Gavi and Pedri in a midfield three.
Possible starting lineup:
| Osasuna | Barcelona |
|---|---|
| Fernandez | Ter Stegen |
| Pena | Balde |
| U Garcia | Christensen |
| D Garcia | E Garcia |
| Sanchez | Alonso |
| Oroz | Gavi |
| Torro | De Jong |
| Gomez | Pedri |
| Avila | Dembele |
| Budimir | Lewandowski |
| Barja | Fati |
Probabilities
Osasuna = 17.6%
Draw = 18.4%
Barcelona = 63.7%
Prediction
Osasuna 1-2 Barcelona
Where to watch live match??
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