PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Osasuna

There are still six league games to go, but thanks to Saturday's emphatic 4-0 defeat of Real Betis, FC Barcelona have managed to stay 11 points clear of second placed Real Madrid. Just three days later and for the second week in a row, they also have a midweek fixture, this time at home to Osasuna.

Victory would by no means clinch the title for the Catalans, they still need to win three games to be absolutely sure of that. But it would leave them in such a powerful position that it would be almost absurd to suggest that anyone would be able to stop them from going on to lift the trophy.

Spotify Camp Nou is the venue, 7.30pm is the kick-off time locally, and this guide will help you work out what time that is on your part of the world.

After a series of games in which Barça have played after Real Madrid, the roles are switched this time. A win would put 14 points between the teams, prior to Real Madrid's fixture away to Real Sociedad immediately after.

Big week for Osasuna

Barça's chances in this game are boosted by the fact that their opponents could be forgiven for having their minds elsewhere. Next Saturday, Osasuna face Real Madrid in only their second ever Copa del Rey Final. Although the club from Pamplona have spent a total of 41 seasons in the first division, they have never won a major trophy, and the game in Seville in four day's time is understandably the most important thing for them and their fans right now.

But neither can they really afford to take things too easy at the Spotify Camp Nou. The Navarrans are still in the hunt for a place in Europe next season, and they can't afford many more results like the 2-0 defeat at home to Real Sociedad this weekend.

After an extremely solid start to 2022/23 saw Osasuna in the challenge for Champions League places, a run of just 2 wins in 14 games saw them drop out out of the chase. However, a strong April now has them way back in contention for some kind of continental football next season.

Near full squad

After Andreas Christensen and Ousmane Dembelela both returned to action against Betis, the only absentee through injury for this one is Sergi Roberto. 15-year-old Lamine Yamal, who impressed so much when he came on for the final minutes on Saturday to become the youngest player ever to represent the club in La Liga, has once again been included in the squad.

Head to head

Osasuna stunned Barça in 2020 by winning in the blaugrana stadium, but on their last two visits they have been soundly beaten, 4-0 each time.

Barça also won the reverse fixture in Pamplona earlier this season. David García did something very few players have managed to do against Barça this year... score a goal. And only needed six minutes to do. It was one of the rare occasions this season when the Catalans had been trailing in a league game, but they eventually turned things around to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Pedri and Raphinha.

Xavi says

"We don't know what kind of team they'll put out because they have possibly the most important game in their history afterwards. But we will need to be plugged in the same way that we were against Betis."

"Lamine Yamal is a calm, smart player who doesn't give away the ball, he plays for team, he's happy, he's positive and his head is in the right place. The idea is to get him involved in the team dynamic."

"Who do I want to win the cup? Who do you think? I'm not answering that question but I think the answer's easy, ha-ha. But I have an appointment on Saturday, so I won't be watching."

"I want to win the league title sooner rather than later. I really don't care if it is at Cornellà or not."

I'm very pleased with the way Ez Abde's loan to Osasuna has gone. He has matured there and made an impact in a lot of games. At the end of the season, we'll assess the situation but he certainly has the talent to play for Barça. It all depends on his mentality."

"Next season we will need to be more competitive in knockout competitions. We were excellent in the league, but it was in the Copa del Rey, Champions League, Europa League where we needed to be better."