It is number 1 versus number 20, as Real Madrid travel to Pamplona to play their first match against CA Osasuna after a rest of 12 days because of their postponed bout with Celta Vigo.
With Madrid playing lesser games than second placed Barcelona, the Whites now only have a 1 point lead over their bitter rivals.
Osasuna have only won 1 out of the 21 matches they have played in this La Liga , clearly making Real Madrid very strong favorites for this bout. Be that as it may, Los Vikingos have struggled to get favorable results against Osasuna in the recent past. Having tasted victory only once in the last six away fixtures, Zidane and his men will be cautious not to take Osasuna lightly.
Real Madrid Coach, Zinedine Zidane, had the following to say about his team’s opponents:
We have had time to work, physically we are good and ready to play. It is a very difficult place to go and we know that it is top against bottom, which I don't like at all. It has always been difficult for us at El Sadar and that isn't going to change.
The trip to Pamplona could prove to be a tricky fixture given Real Madrid’s poor showing at El Sadar and their 40 match unbeaten streak being broken at the hands of Sevilla last month, leaving the Whites feeling mortal again.
Toni Kroos will have to sit out this match after seeing Yellow for the 5th time this season. Also out for Real Madrid is long time absentee, Gareth Bale, who is still recovering from his ankle injury.
Real Madrid will be happy to welcome Luka Modric back to the fold after the Croatian suffered a strain on his abductor muscle. Carvajal and Marcelo are also back after recovering from their hamstring injuries. Meanwhile James and Pepe have returned following their recovery from their calf muscle injuries.
Staff Predictions
Result (1) | Score (2) | Goal Scorers (3) | Total Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Result (1) | Score (2) | Goal Scorers (3) | Total Score | |
Om | RM Win | 2-1 | CR7, Ramos; Higuaín | 42 |
Kiyan | RM Win | 3-1 | Benz, CR7, Asensio; Pjanic | 45 |
Timm | RM Win | 2-1 (RM win extra time) | CR7, Ramos; Dybala | 41 |
Mike | - | - | - | 34 |
Lucas | RM Loss | 1-2 | CR7; Higuaín, Dybala | 26 |
Nate | RM Win | 4-2 | -CR7x2, Bale, Morata; Higuain, Dybala | 47 |
Marc | - | - | - | 3 |
Lewis | - | - | - | 10 |
Tommy | RM Loss | 1-2 | Benz; Higuaín, Mandzukic | 19 |
Naguib | RM Win | 2-0 | CR7, Bale | 29 |
Vicki | - | - | - | 1 |
Ondra | RM Win | 2-0 | CR7, Ramos | 18 |
Jack | RM Win | 2-2 (RM win on pk's 4-3) | CR7, Ramos; Dybala x2 | 6 |
Matt | RM Win | 1-0 | CR7 | 8 |
Sam | RM Win | 2-1 | - | 1 |
José | RM Win | 3-1 | CR7 x2, Morata; Mandzukic | 3 |