Preview: Osasuna vs. Real Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

Real Madrid will be looking to stretch their lead at the top of La Liga to six points when they travel to Osasuna on Sunday afternoon.

Los Blancos are currently three points clear of second-placed Barcelona at the summit, while Osasuna occupy 11th position with 28 points to show from their 22 fixtures this season.

Match preview

Promoted back to La Liga after winning the Segunda Division last season, Osasuna are enjoying a fairly solid campaign with 28 points from 22 matches leaving them in 11th position in the table.

They have actually only lost six times in Spain's top flight during the 2019-20 campaign, although just six wins and 10 draws has cost them the opportunity to move higher up the division.

It is worth remembering that Osasuna finished seventh in La Liga as recently as 2011-12, and it seems unlikely that they will be dragged into a relegation battle this season as they are currently 10 points clear of the relegation zone, which is occupied by Leganes, Celta Vigo and Espanyol.

Jagoba Arrasate's side have lost their last two matches, though, suffering a 3-1 defeat away to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey before losing by the same scoreline at Villarreal in the league last weekend.

Los Rojillos have been beaten in just one of their four La Liga fixtures, however, and have both held and overcome Madrid in their last five home clashes with the capital giants.

Madrid will actually enter this match off the back of a defeat, having suffered a 4-3 reverse to Sociedad in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey on Thursday night.

Zinedine Zidane's side are enjoying a strong season in the league, though, with a record of 14 wins, seven draws and one defeat leaving them three points clear at the top of the table.

They have not actually lost in Spain's top flight since the middle of October and will have the chance to move six points clear on Sunday afternoon as Barca are not in action until the evening.

Having only won one La Liga title since 2012, the league is hugely important for Madrid this season. Barca cannot be written out of the race, but the Catalan side's issues mean that Los Blancos have a brilliant chance of bringing the trophy back to the Bernabeu.

Despite losing in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, Madrid have won their last four in the league, including a 1-0 home success over bitter rivals Atletico Madrid last weekend.

Osasuna La Liga form: LLDDWL Osasuna form (all competitions): WDWWLL

Real Madrid La Liga form: DDWWWW Real Madrid form (all competitions): WWWWWL

Team News

Osasuna will again be without the services of Chimy Avila, Ruben Martinez and Antonio Latorre through injury, while Aridane Hernandez is unavailable for selection on Sunday afternoon due to a suspension.

Enric Gallego could be given the nod in the final third ahead of Marc Cardona, although Robert Ibanez and Robert Torres are both expected to keep their positions.

Darko Brasanac is also available after serving a domestic suspension.

As for Madrid, Marco Asensio and Eden Hazard are still unavailable for selection despite the pair making excellent progress in their recoveries from long-term issues.

Casemiro, Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal are all ready to return having missed out against Sociedad, but Gareth Bale is unlikely to be in the XI as he continues to be overlooked.

Isco is battling the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes for a spot in the final third of the field, while Federico Valverde could drop out to allow Luka Modric and Toni Kroos to both feature.

Osasuna possible starting lineup: Herrera; Vidal, U Garcia, D Garcia, Estupinan; Brasanac, Perez; Ibanez, R Garcia, Torres; Gallego

Real Madrid possible starting lineup: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; Vazquez, Benzema, Isco

We say: Osasuna 0-1 Real Madrid

Madrid have only actually conceded one goal in their last six league matches, winning their last two 1-0. Osasuna are certainly capable of picking up a result this weekend, but we just fancy Zidane's side to emerge victorious at the end of the 90 minutes.