Topics: Osasuna, Barcelona, La Liga
La Liga is back at the top of Barcelona’s priority list, and on Saturday evening, they face Osasuna away from home as they try to close the gap on Real Madrid.

Barcelona need all three points against Osasuna.Team News

Masoud Shojaei and Ion Echaide are out of action for Osasuna. Their absence puts pressure on Rolam Lamh, Alvaro Cejudo, Enrique Kike Sola, Ruben Gonzales Rocha and Javier Calleja, who are all doubtful for their team’s match against Barca.

Ibrahim Afellay, Andreu Fontas and David Villa continue to be long-term absentees for Pep Guardiola, while Pedro could be on the bench after returning to training following a knee injury. Sergio Busquets - who missed Wednesday’s game against Valencia - remains a doubt, and Mali’s Seydou Keita is still on duty in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

 

Formation

Osasuna might receive Barcelona with a 4-3-2-1 formation, placing Bertran, Sergio, Flano and Satrustegui in defence. Punal, Nekounam and Garcia could support Cejudo and Lamah in the midfield, while Lekic leads the attack as a loan striker.

With Pedro not so fit at the moment, Tello could assist Cuenca and Lionel Messi up front, ahead of midfielder Fabregas, Mascherano and Xavi. Barcelona could strengthen their 4-3-3 formation with regular starters Dani Alves, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Eric Abidal at the back.

Head-to-Head

Osasuna have had a very bad record against Barcelona in the past few seasons. They were cruelly destroyed 8-0 in September last year, and they went on to be humiliated 4-0 in their following meeting in the Copa del Rey almost four months later.

Even speaking of league matches only, their condition doesn’t seem to get any better. Osasuna have conceded 16 goals only in their last five games against Barca in La Liga, while they have only managed to score a single one - in a one all draw that took place in October 2009.

2011-12 La Liga Statistical facts

  • Osasuna have won as many times as Barcelona have drawn this season so far (6 times).
  • Osasuna have scored less than half the amount of goals scored by Barcelona, at 23 against 61.
  • Osasuna have conceded more than twice the amount of goals allowed by Barcelona this season, at 33 against 13.
  • Barcelona have made two times more clean sheets than Osasuna, at 12 against 6.